
Book 



c j\>_tZ^ 



STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 



E VIDEN CE 



TAKEN BY THE 



COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION 



OF THE 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 

UNDER AUTHORITY OF THE 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY 

OF THE 

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 

REGULAR SESSION, 1868-'G9. 



COLUMBIA, S. C: 

JOHN W. DENNY, PRINTER TO THE STATE. 

1870. 



JOINT RESOLUTION 

TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION FOR 
THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 

Section 1. Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the State of South Carolina, now met and sitting in General Assembly, 
and by the authority of the same, That a Committee, consisting of two 
members of the Senate and five members of the House, is hereby created 
and empowered to proceed, during the recess, to thoroughly investigate 
the disordered state of affairs in the Third Congressional District, and 
the causes of the intimidation, outrages and murders jierpetrated preced- 
ing and at the late general election, whereby it is stated that a fair and 
unbiased expression of the j^eople's choice could not, and ^vas not, given ; 
and of the existence of organizations inimical to the peace and well being 
of the State. 

Sec. 2. Said Committee may proceed to the various Counties em- 
braced in the Third C-ongressional District, and are empowered to com- 
pel the attendance of witnesses, and to send for papers. They may also 
employ a stenographer, and, if necessary, may employ a lawyer to assist 
in the investigation. 

Sec. 3. Said Committee shall be appointed by the presiding officers of 
the Senate and House of Representatives, and shall be composed of at 
least two Democratic members. They shall receive the same per diem 
and mileage, while actually engaged, as is paid to members of the Gene- 
ral Assembly, the same being paid in the usual way, from any money in 
the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. 

Sec. 4. His Excellency the Governor is hereby requested to furnish 
said Committee all information in his possession bearing upon the object 
of this investigation, and is hereby required to furnish them all necessary 
facilities and protection in visiting the Counties. 

Approved March 26, 1869. 



PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. 



EOOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Columbia, fS. C, May 3, 1869. 

The Committee of Investigation, iu accordance with the foregoing reso- 
hition, met in tlie city of Cohmibia on Monday, May o, 1869. 

Present : Hon. J. J. Wright, of the Senate ; and Hons. J. Crews, J. 
Bryant, Robt. Smalls, Geo. F. Mclntyre and R. B. Elliott, of the House 
of Representatives. 

Absent : Hon. II. Buck, of the Senate. 

After the discussion of preliminary matters, the Committee adjourned 
to meet to-morrow, at 4 P. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING C^OMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Columbia, S. C, May 4, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 4 P. M. — Mr. Wright 
in the chair. 

The Chairman called the Committee to order, and stated that it was 
necessary for the Committee to proceed to effect a permanent organiza- 
tion by the election of a Chairman, whereupon the Committee proceeded, 
on motion of Mr. Crews, to ballot for Chairman, with the following 
rcsult : 

Mr. Crews received 4 votes. 

Mr. Wright received 1 vote. 

Mr. Bryant received 1 vote. 

On motion of jMr. Smalls, the election of Stenographer was postponed 
to next meeting. 

After the discussion of various matters relating to the duties of the 
Committee, on motion of Mr. Wright, the Chairman was authorized to 
inform His Excellency the Governor that the Committee was organized, 
and was ready to receive all papers or other information in his possession 
bearing upon the object of the duties they have to perform. 

On motion of Mr. Smalls, the Committee adjourned, at 7 P. M., to 
meet to-morrow, at 4 P. M. 



INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional DiSTRica". 

Columbia, S. C, May 5, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjouriiiueut, tlie Committee met at 4 P. ]\I. — Mr. Crews 
in the chair. 

The journal of tlie previous meeting was read and approved. 

The Chairman stated that, in conformity with the order of the Com- 
mittee, a communication was sent to His Excellency the Governor, and. 
agreeably to the request of the Committee, a number of papers had 
been delivered to him. 

A copy of the communication was then read, and the papers presented. 

Oji motion of Mr. Wright, the Chairman was requested to assort and 
arrange the papers, so as to have the documents relating to each County 
by themselves. 

On motion of Mr. Smalls, the Committee proceeded to the election of 
Stenographer, with the following result : 

Mr. AV. J. Etter, 6 votes. 

Mr. Etter was thereupon declared to have been elected Stenographer 
to the Committee. 

After a full discussion of various matters relating to the business of the 
Committee, on motion of Mr. Smalls, the Committee adjourned to meet 
to-morrow, at 10 o'clock A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Columbia, S. C, May 6, 186!). 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 10 A. M. 

Present : Jos. Crews, Chairman ; and Messrs. Wright, Smalls, Elliott, 
Bryaut and Mclntyre. 

The Clerk read the journal of previous day's proceedings. 

The Chairman stated that, in accordance Avith the request of the Comm i t- 
tee, he had caused to be prepared a list, exhibiting the names of the 
Commissioners of Election in the Counties composing the Third Con- 
gressional District. 

The Clerk read the paper referred to. 

At the suggestion of the Chairman, the Clerk was directed to read, for 
the information of the Committee, communications relative to outrages 
committed in Newberry County. 

On motion of Mr. Smalls, the Committee adjourned to meet to-mor- 
row, at 10. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Columbia, S. C, May 7, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, tlie Committee met at 10 A. M. 

Present : Jos. Crews, Chairman ; and Messrs. Wright, Smalls, Elliott, 
Mclntyre and Bryant. 

The Clerk read the journal of previous day's proceedings. 

On motion of Mr. Wright, sundiy communications from residents of 
Abbeville County, detailing outrages committed in said County, were 
taken up and read by the Clerk. 

On motion of Mr. Bryant, the Committee adjourned to meet to-mor- 
row morning, at 10 o'clock. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Columbia, S. C, May 8, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 10 A. M. 

Present : Jos. Crews, Chairman ; and Messrs. Wright, Smalls, Elliott, 
Mclntyre and Bryant. 

Journal of previous day was read aud approved. 

Sundry communications, in reference to outrages in Anderson County, 
were read by the Clerk, for the information of the Committee. 

On motion of Mr. Elliott, it was 

Ordered, That when this Committee adjourns it stands adjourned to 
meet Wednesday next. May 12, at Newberry Court House. 
On motion of Mr. Smalls, the Committee adjourned. 



NEWBERRY COUNTY. 



tamnHHHHiBa 



/ 



PROCEEDINGS Am EVIDEiYCE. 



KOOMS OF INVESTIGATING CO]\fMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 12, 18G9. 

Tlic Committee met at 2 P. M., this day, in the office of the U. S. Assis- 
tant Revenue Assessor. 

Present : Jos. Crews, Chairman ; and Messrs. Wriglit, Elliott, Bryant, 
Smalls and Mclntyre. 

The followuig form of oath to be administered to witnesses was 
adopted : 

"Do you solemnly swear that the evidence you shall give before this 
Committee of Investigation, concerning the disorderly state of aiiairs in 
the Third Congressional District preceding and at the time of the lale 
general election, shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the 
truth : So helji you God ?" 

On motion of Mr. Wright, it was 

Iie>iolvcd, That an injunction of secrecy in relation to evidence taken 
before this Cbnimittee be placed upon the members, and so to remain 
until otherwise ordered by the Committee. 

On motion of Mr. Wright, it v>"as 

Ordered, That one of the Committee be selected to conduct the direct 
examination, after which any member may ask questions of the witness. 

The Chairman read a communication addressed to His Excellency 
Governor Scott, by II. H. Kinard, of Newberry, relative to the murder 
of Johnson Stuart. 

H. H. Kinard, being in attendance, in response to a summons, was 
called to the stand. 

H. H. Kinard, sworn. 

Direct examination by j\Ir. Wright : 

1. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — II. H. Kinard. 

2. Question — Are you a resident of Newberry C'ounty? if so, how long 
have you been a resident ? 

2 



10 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I have always resided here ; was raised in the County. 

3. Question — Are you holding office now, and what ? 
Answer — I am a Coroner and Magistrate. 

4. Question — Were you a Coroner and Magistrate at the time of the 
late general election. 

Answer — I was Coroner, but not Magistrate. 

5. Question — Do you know of any difficulty or disturbances occurring 
prior to the general election? and if so, j^lease state what they were ? 

Answer — Johnson Stuart, (known by that name at the inquest,) or 
Johnson Forster, was killed ; I cannot tell the exact time it happened 
without consulting my book ; think it was a short time before the elec- 
tion ; it was the day, I believe, when Hoge was here. 

6. Question — About what time in the day was it when he was killed? 
Answer — About three or four o'clock in the day. 

7. Question — About what time in the day was the meeting held at 
which Hoge spoke? 

Answer — I do not remember ; I did not go up ; the killing took place 
after Hoge left ; it was over by the College ; Stuart was on his way 
home. 

8. Question — Was a jury summoned at once? and if so, what was the 
verdict ? 

Answer — Yes. The jury could not say who killed him ; the jury ad- 
journed from day to day, as they could not come to a conclusion ; I had 
better produce the verdict ; I do not remember the words. 

(Copy shown witness by the Chairman, which witness pronounced 
correct.) 

9. Question — Did the jury come to the conclusion that he came to his 
death by tire arms in the hands of any one ? 

Answer — Yes, by a pistol shot. 

10. Question — AVas it ascertained by the jury whether Stuart was pro- 
ceeding home when murdered ? 

Answer — Yes ; he was shot in the road going toAvards his home at three 
or four o'clock in the evening ; information was sent to me at once as 
Coroner. 

11. Question — Did it appear before the jury how far from town this 
occurred ? 

Answer — About one quarter of a mile from the court house. 

12. Question — Is the court house in the centre of this incorporation? 
Answer — It is ; the incorporation runs a mile each way from the court 

house ; Stuart was killed within the incorporation. 

13. Question — What was his general character? 

Answer — Never knew anything against him or his character ; it was 
good. 

14. Question — Do you know anything further in connection with this 
affair? if so, please state it? 

Answer — I do not know much, only what came of the inquest ; I made 
efforts to ascertain who killed him, but the witnesses knew nothing ; the 
persons present when the murder was committed did not know the 
murderer. 

15. Question — Were there any persons present who saw the deed 
committed ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIOXAL DISTKICT, S. C. 11 



Answer — There were several present ; Stuart's own relations saw it ; I 
would have to refer to my book for the names of parties who were pres- 
ent ; I will furnish the names to-morrow. 

Ifi, Question (by Mr. Biyant) — Did you know Johnson Stuart before 
he was killed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

17. Question — Did he have any difficulty in town bef re he left that 
day? 

Answer — None that I know of. 

18. Question — Did he die immediately after being shot ? 
Answer — Died soon after he was shot. 

19. Question — How long had he been dead when you saw him? 
Answer — Not long ; I went to see him at once. 

20. Question — Was he walking or riding when shot ? 
Answer — He was walking. 

21. Question — Was he intoxicated at the time ? 

Answer — Not that I know of ; I don't know that he drank at all. 

22. Question — Do you know whether he belonged to the Republican 
party? 

Answer — I do not know. 

28. Question — Do you have reasons for believing that it was a con- 
certed plan, by the Democrats, to kill him for his political opinions? 

Answer — I don't know; I have no reasons to think so. 

Mr. AVright — I object to such questions ; it opens up political things 
we ought not to open up. You have a right to ask it, but we don't propose 
to enter into such an investigation. 

The objection being sustained, it was withdrawn by Mr. Bryant. 

24. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did he have any weapons on him at 
the time; I mean a pistol or other arms? 

Answer — I didn't see any. 

25. Question — Was Stuart a white or colored man? 

Answer — A colored man, a bright mulatto ; he was a man of more than 
ordinary intelligence. 

26. Question — When you found him, was he lying in the road or in 
the woods? 

Answer — He was in the big road, this side of the College. 

27. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did you or did you not preside as 
Coroner over the body of Lee A. Nance? 

Answer— I did. (Copy of verdict shown witness.) 

28. Question — Please state the year, month, day, and about what hour 
the shooting took place ? 

Answer (witness consulting record) — He was shot on Monday, October 
19, 1868; I think it was about 7 or 8 o'clock in the morning; he died 
that night, and the inquest was held the next day, the 20th. 

29. Question — Was it committed within the incorporated town limits? 
Answer — Yes; about half way between the court house and depot, about 

three hundred yards from the court house. 

30. Question — Did it create general consternation? 
Answer — I do not know ; I was at home sick. 

31. Question — The depot is how far from the court house ? 



12 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Do not know exactly the distance — think about four hun- 
dred yards. 

32. Question — Is it not thickly inhabited by people between this and 
the place where he was shot? 

Answer — It is thickly settled on the left of this street ; not on the 
right. 

33. Question — Did it appear before the jury who it Avas shot him? 
Answer — Yes. William Fitzgerald shot him. 

34. Question — Were you acquainted with Fitzgerald ? 
Answer — No. 

35. Question — Did it appear there was any one else with him at the 
time this occurred ? 

Answer — Yes. Samuel Murtishaw ; he was found to be an accessory. 

36. Question — Did it appear before the jury there was any effort made 
to arrest them ? 

Answer — It was hardly possible, as they galloped away. Fitzgerald 
went into the house and shot him (Nance). Murtishaw held Fitzgerald's 
horse ; don't know that Murtishaw had a horse. 

37. Question — Was there, or was there not, any effort made by the citi- 
zens to effect the arrest of those persons ? 

Answer — ^I cannot say ; I was at home sick ; they did not appear to 
have an opportunity ; do not believe the citizens knew who they were ; 
refer you to evidence at time of trial. 

- 38. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Was it shown before the jury whether 
any one followed these parties to arrest them ? 

Answer — I do not recollect. 

39. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were thei'c any reasons given before 
the jury why this man was shot ? 

Answer — No. 

40. Question — Were you acquainted with this man, (Nance,) and was 
his character good ? 

Answer — His chamcter was good ; he was a peaceable man. 

41. Question — Did he belong to any political organization in this State? 
Answer — I do not know Avhether he did or not. 

42. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You stated that it was proven on the 
inquest that one Fitzgerald killed Lee Nance? 

Answer — Yes, that was the conclusion the jury came to ; also, that 
Murtishaw was accessory to the killing. 

43. Question — Was Lee Nance a colored man ? 
Answer — Yes. 

44. Question — Do you know whether this man Nance had been con- 
cerned in any difficulty about town ? 

Answer — I only know from hearsay. 

45. Question — Was he killed in his own house ? 
Answer — Yes, shot and died there. 

46. Question — Did he converse after being shot? 

Answer — Yes, that Fitzgerald did it ; if he had not said vvho did it, 
we could not have proved the case. 

47. Question — In what posture was he when shot ? 
Answer — I do not remember. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 1 3 



48. Question — Did he implicate any one else besides Fitzgerald in the 
murder ? 

Answer — No. 

49. Question — It did not appear, then, that there had been a difficulty 
between Nance and any other person? 

AnsAver — No. 

50. Question (by I\Ir. AVright) — You had the dying declaration of Mr. 
Nance ? 

Answer — Yes, it was his dying declaration; on this we convicted Fitz- 
gerald. 

51. Question (by Mr. Brj^ant) — Did it appear on the inquest what kind 
of a weapon he Avas hilled with ? 

Answer — Yes, a pistol. 

52. Question — Do you know Avhere Fitzgerald came from ? 
Answer — No. 

53. Question — Who did general rumor say he was ? 

AnsAver — That he did not belong to this County ; that he was from 
Tennessee. 

54. Question — AYas that the general rumor ? 
Answer — Yes. 

55. Question — Was he not considered an outlaAV by the comnuuiity ? 
AnsAver — Yes, he Avas so regarded. 

56. Question — He AA'as not identified Avith the people of NcAvberry 
County ? 

AnsAver — No ; not that I knoAA^ of. 

57. Question — This MurtishaAV ; he AA'as accessory ? 
AnsAver — Yes ; so the jury found him. 

58. Question — 'Did you knoAV him? 

AnsAA'er — Yes, he is a native of NcAvberry County, 

59. Question — What Avas his character ? 
AnsAver — A good boy, Avhen sober. 

60. Question — Do you kuoAV Avhether he Avas identified Avith any po- 
litical organization in this County? 

AnsAver — I do not knoAV. 

61. Question — AVere you sick wdien Lee Nance Avas shot? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

62. Question — Who Avas acting Coroner at the inquest ? 

Answer — I Avas ; although sick, I Avalked out to attend the inquest. 

63. Question — Did any person or persons about the town make any 
effort to arrest these men ? 

AnsAver — I don't knoAV of any effort made. 

64. Question — They Avere not arrested? 
AnsAver — No. 

65. Question — Was there a Avarrant issued for these men ? 
AnsAver — I did, as Coroner. 

66. Question^ — Have they not been heard of in the County since? 
Answer — I have not seen them since myself. 

67. Question — From the best of your knoAvledge and belief, Avere 
proper efforts made to arrest those parties ? 

AnsAver — I believe there Avere. 

68. Question (by Mr. Wright} — You have said that you believe proper 



14 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



efforts have been made to arrest those men ; state the grounds of your 
belief? 

Answer — The warrant was lodged with the Sheriff, and he told me he 
made efforts to catch them ; the warrant was issued the day after the mur- 
der, (October 20, 1868j ; the Sheriff has not made a return yet ; he still 
holds the warrant. 

69. Question — Have the citizens taken any steps to have a reward 
offered for the arrest of these persons ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

70. Question — You stated that Fitzgerald did not belong to this 
County; how do you know? 

Answer — The general information is that he is from Tennessee. 

71. Question — When was this general information promulgated, prior 
to or since the shooting ? 

Answer — Prior to. 

72. Question — How long was it before that time that you knew this 
man from Tennessee, from general information? 

Answer — He has been about for several years, (hesitatingly). 

73. Question — How long have you known Fitzgerald ? 
Answer — About a year ; he was not raised in this County? 

74. Question — You said you knew of this man for several years ? 
Answer — I do not know how long I have known him ; he married in 

Maybington, in this District. 

75. Question — You say he was a desperate character ? 

Answer — So, from general report ; he may have been here for 5 or 6 
years, I do not know. 

76. Question — This man Murtishaw, you said you knew him for some 
time ? 

Answer — Yes, and his father too ; he was a good young man when 
sober ; it did not appear at the investigation that he was drunk at the 
hour of the morning the murder was committed. 

77. Question — How far from the court house does Murtishaw live ? 
Answer — About eighteen or twenty miles, near Maybington. 

78. Question — Has there been any effort made by the citizens to appre- 
hend him ? have they been to his house ? 

Answer — I do not know. I would probably have heard if such was 
the case. I do not think any of the citizens would go doAvn to Maybing- 
ton to arrest him. 

79. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Did you ever know of his having 
previous to this been in any difficulty ? 

Answer — No. 

80. Question — You say Fitzgerald was a Tennesseean ? 

Answer — Yes ; that was the general report. He may have been in 
this village before the murder of Nance — I cannot say. The age of Fitz- 
gerald is stated in the re])ort I made. 

81. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said Fitzgerald married down at 
Maybington ; has he any children ? 

Answer — I do not know. I do not know if a reward was offered by 
the authorities of Tennessee while he Avas residing in Newberry. 

82. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Was it not rumored that Fitzgerald 
killed Stuart before he killed Nance ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S, C. 15 



Answer — No ; that was uot the general rumor ; it is, however, the im- 
pression now. 

83. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How long before the killing of Lee 
Nance had it become established among the citizens that he (Fitzgerald) 
was an outlaw ? 

Answer — It was public rumor, and I shared in the opinion since the 
commission of these two crimes. 

84. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Were you a Commissioner of Election 
at last general election ? 

Answer — I was. 

85. Question — Did you appoint Managers of Election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

86. Question — Whom did you appoint first? 
Answer — I must consult the list. 

87. Question — Were there any colored men on the Board ? 
Answer — There were three appointed. 

88. Question — How many boxes had you ? 

Answer — Eleven. Lee Nance requested that the names of the colored 
men be stricken oft'. He was one of the Commissioners. 

89. Did Mr. Nance give reasons for striking these names off? 
Mr. Wright — I ol)ject. (Withdrawn.) 

90. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Were you about town the day before 
Nance was kilied ? 

Answer — No ; I was sick. 

9L Question — You don't know who was in town that day ? 

Answer — No ; I was not out that day. 

92. Question — Do you know Mr. Dan Ward ? 
Answer — Yes. 

93. Question — Do you know when he was shot ? 
Answer — I cannot tell you when he was shot. 

94. Question— Was it before or after Lee Nance was shot ? 
Answer — Can't remember whether it was before or after. 

95. Question —Do you know wliere Ward's family were from — whether 
Tennessee or Kentucky? 

Answer — Don't know whether AVard's family were from Tennessee or 
Kentucky. 

96. Question — Have you ever heard that Ward was not his correct 
name ? 

Answer — I never heard that was not his name, and I do not know 
where he was raised. 

97. Question — Can you tell why he was shot ? 

Answer — Don't know why he was shot. He Avas considered a steady, 
sober young man ; never heard of his being in any riots or disturbances. 

98. Question — Has any one ever been indicted for shooting Ward ? 
Answer — No one was indicted for shooting Ward ; I think Dogan was 

arrested. 

99. Question (by Mr. Wright) — When did this shooting take place ? 
Answer — Night before Nance was killed, I think. 

100. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — To the best of your knowledge and 
belief, was there any fraud or intimidation at the election in this County? 
As you were Commissioner, you would probably know ? 



IG INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Officially I know of none. Only from rumor do I know of 
votes being received from parties registered outside of this County ; there 
was a rumor that some voted from Edgefield ; give this as rumor only. 

101. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — As one of the Commissioners, in can- 
vassing the votes after the returns had been made, did you find that the 
votes polled at each precinct was less or more than registered voters — did 
they agree with the list ? 

Answer — I am not able to tell. 

102. Question — Did the Managers of Election furnish you a list of 
the parties who voted ? 

Answer — The Act requires it shall be filed in the Clerk's oflice ; think 
all the lists were furnished me ; the election was conducted according to 
the Act. 

103. Question — Did the Commissioners, sitting as a Board of County 
Canvassers, compare the lists returned with the books of registration ? 

Answer — I do not think there Avere any County Canvassers ; don't 
think any canvass was made. If the man swore he was registered in 
this County, he was allowed to vote. They had the right to vote at any 
box, if registered in the County — that Avas our construction of the laAV. 

104. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Did you receive, as Commissioner of 
Election, a printed circular from Secretary of State, Avith instructions ? 

Answer — I think I might ; I had the Act, and tried to manage it ac- 
cording to law. I called Managers together, read and explained the 
laAV, and SAVore them. About this voting of men from Edgefield, Col. 
Lavall should be summoned. 

On motion of Mr. Wright, the Committee, at 5.30 P. M., adjourned 
to meet to-morroAV, at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Thikd Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 13, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
William Williams, (colored) sAvorn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wriglit : 

105. Question — What is your name? 
AnsAver — AVilliam AVilliams. 

106. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 

Answer — Yes ; ha\^e been living in this town for tAVO years, and in the 
County for ten or fifteen years. 

107. Question — Are you now living witliin the incorporated toAvn 
limits ? 

Answer — Yes. 

108. Question— HoAv long ? 
AnsAver — About tAvo years. 

109. Question — You were here during tlie late general election? 
AnsAver — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 17 



110. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Were you a Manager of 
Election ? 

Answei" — No, I gave out tickets ; I was appointed to distribute tickets. 

111. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Was there any disturbance at the 
poll that day ; if so, state ? 

Answer — Yes ; while I was giving out tickets, a white man standing 
on the steps asked me who gave orders to me to give out those tickets ; 
I said nothing ; he went as though he was going to hit me with his stick, 
and cursed me severely. 

112. Question — What kind of tickets were you giving out? 
Answer — Republican tickets. 

113. Question — Who were you working for at that time? 
Answer — John R. Leavell. 

114. Question — Can you tell us who the man was that attempted to 
strike you ? 

Answer — I know his face and height ; I do not know his name ; I see 
him most every day. 

115. Question — Is he a resident of this town? 
Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

116. Question — Did he vote that day? 
AnsAver — I do not know. 

117. Question — Is he a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes ; I think so. 

118. Question — If you heard any threats made that day, tell us what 
they were, and if any one said anything to keep voters away from voting? 

Answer — There were threats made, but I don't remember exactly 
now? 

119. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you say it was a white man that 
attempted to strike you ? 

Answer — Yes. 

120. Question — Did he say why he raised the stick over you? 
Answer — No; he did not say why; he only said I've a mind to kill 

you. 

121. Question — Did he say you had no right to give out these tickets? 
Answer — No. 

122. Question — You said there were threats made ; did you hear these 
threats ? 

Answer — I only heard one man say that if any of his people came to 
vote, he would turn thera off. 

123. Question — Who was that man? 
Answer — John Matthews. 

] 24. Question — You heard no other threats made ? 
Answer — No ; not myself. 

125. Question — Do you or do you not know whether Mr. Matthews be- 
longed to any political organization ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

126. Q^uestion (by Mr. Elliott) — You said there were threats made to 
keep parties from voting; do you know whether any of those threats were 
carried out? 

Answer — I do not know. 



18 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



127. Question — Do you know of any acts of violence or beating in this 
County before or at the election '? 

Answer — No. 

128. Question — Do you know of any murders committed in this 
County before or at the election ? 

Answer — I cannot remember exactly now how many. 

129. Question — Do you know the circumstances connected with some 
of them ? 

Answer — Well, there was that of Mr. Nance here, (Newberry); at the 
time I was working in the shop, two men came riding down the street, 
and stopped at the bar-room ; one got off his horse and went in ; after he 
came out, they went down the street ; they were not gone long when I 
heard a gun go ofl'; after that, a moment, the same two men came back 
with pistols in their hands 

130. Question — Were both men on horseback ? 
Answer — Yes. 

131. Question — Do you know those men, and their names? 
Answer — Yes ; Samuel Murtishaw and William Fitzgerald. 

132. Question — After the men went from the bar-room, could 3'ou see 
whetlier they stopped at Nance's door ? 

Answer — No; but I saw them return with pistols in their hands; Fitz- 
gerald said to Murtishaw, " If you are going to ride, now is the time," and 
they rode rapidly away. 

133. Question — Do those men belong in this County ? 
Answer — Fitzgerald stayed at Maybington. 

134. Question — For how long a time do you know he lived in IMay- 
bington ? 

Answer — He has been there some two or three years, to my knowledge; 
he worked at our house after the war. 

135. Question — You mean he worked where you did after the war? 
Answer — Yes. 

136. Question — What kind of a man was he, a bad man? 
Answer — Yes ; a severe man in conduct — a cruel man. 

137. Question — Is Samuel Murtishaw a citizen of this County? 
Answer — Yes ; the two lived only about fifty yards apart. 

138. Question — What kind of a man was he ? 

Answer — I never knew anything wrong of him until a short time before 
this scrape happened ; he was here one day drunk ; I had never seen him 
drunk until that day ; he was on horseback ; he then wanted to ride his 
horse in store doors ; him and Sam Dogan got into a little scrape, at j\Ir. 
Stuart's store, near the hotel. 

139. Question — Do you mean they got into a fight? 
Answer — No ; not exactly. 

140. Question — Did Murtishaw have a weapon ? 
Answer — Yes ; he had his pistol drawn. 

141. Question — You said that of the two men Avho went towards 
Nance's house, one got oft' his horse and went into the bar-room — now 
which one ? 

Answer. — William Fitzgerald. 

142. Question — Did any one follow them when they rode oft'; or did 
the citizens attempt to prevent them from leaving ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 19 



Answer — No ; if they had, they could have caught them. No one 
wanted to lend the Sheriif his horse to go after them. 

143. Question — What did you do ? 

Answer — I went at once to Mr. Peterson, Magistrate, to get a warrant 
for them. 

144. Question — Did he give you a warrant ? 

Answer — Yes ; Mr. Peterson issued the warrant, and the Sheriff went 
over to the soldiers' camp for a guard, and the Sheriff got me to go to 
Mr. Peteron's, to get horses. 

145. Question — How long was it before they started, after the Sheriff 
got his horses ? 

Answer — About half an hour before the Sheriff started to pursue the 
men, as he had to go to the camp for men to go with him. 

146. Question — Do you know of any other case of outrages commit- 
ted besides that of Nance? 

Answer — Yes ; ]\Ir. Johnson was shot. 

147. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said you knew Fitzgerald, and 
that he lived near where you lived ; has he a family ? 

Answer — Yes ; he has a wife and child. 

148. Question — Does his wife live in Maybington now? 

Answer — I do not know that ; she is living there now, unless she has 
gone off within two months. I saw her two months ago. 

149. Question — Have you heard of Fitzgerald being in this County 
within two months ? 

Answer — 1 have heard that he has been in this village, but I have not 
seen him. 

150. Question — Do you know if Murtishaw has been in tliis (/onnty 
since the murder ? 

Answer — I do not know. 
' 151. Question — Has he a ftxmily? 
Answer — Yes ; in Maybington. 

152. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Was he married ? 
Answer — Yes ; about two years ago. 

153. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you know whether there had 
been an}'^ misunderstanding between Fitzgerald and Nance previous to 
his being killed ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

154. Q,uestion — Was Nance engaged in any riot or quarrel before he 
was shot ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

155. Question — What is your opinion as to why he was shot? 
Answer — Only because he was President of the League. 

156. Qiiestion — Did not general rumor say that Nance was one of the 
party that fired on some young men a day or two before be was shot ? 

Answer — Yes, sir; it was so reported. I do not know anything about 
it. Rumor was that he was at the head of it. 

157. Question — Where were you when Fitzgerald and Murtishaw rode 
up the street after Nance was shot ? 

Answer — Beside my door. I did not know Nance was shot until it 
was cried out through the street. I heard Fitzgerald exclaim : " I have 
put one out of the way !" 



20 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



158. Question— You say that in half an hour after the murder the 
Sheriff started in pursuit ? 

Answer — Yes. 

159. Question— Did he make application for men to go with him after 

them? 

Answer — I do not know. 

160. Question— Do you know what objections the people had to letting 
the Sheriff have their horses ? 

Answer— No; only that they wanted Nance killed. That was the 
general rumor only. I did not hear this from parties who refused to lend 
their horses. 

161. Question — How did you know that Fitzgerald had lived ahout 
Maybington for two years ? 

Answer — He lived with us, as I lived in Maybington. 

162. Question — What year Avas that ? 
Answer — I do not remember the year. 

163. Question — How many years ago has it been since he worked with 
you? 

Answer — About five years ago. 

164. Question — Do you know where Fitzgerald came from Avhen he 
came into this County ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

165. Question — Was it not general rumor that he was rather an out- 
law? 

Answer — Yes. 

166. Question — He was always regarded as that kind of a man ? 
Answer — Yes. 

167. Question — Did he belong to any political organization ? 
Answer — Not to my recollection. 

168. Question — What did general rumor say? 
Answer — I never heard it said. 

169. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said that Fitzgerald was married 
and had a child? 

Answer — Yes ; he has one child. 

170. Question — How old is it? 

Answer — Two years old now, to my knowledge. 

171. Question (by Mr. Wright) — After these men shot Nance, Avhich 
way did they ride ? 

Answer — Came up the street towards the court house. 

172. Question — Is the court house in the centre of the town? 
Answer —Yes. 

178. Question — How near were they to the court house when Fitzger- 
ald said " he had put one out of the way ?" 

Answer — About 20 yards from the court house ; may be more. 

174. Question — At the time he said that, w^as it generally known by 
the citizens along the street that Nance was shot. 

Answer — It was not. 

175. Question — Did he have his pistol in his hand then ? 
Answer — Yes ; both of them did. 

176. Question — In your judgment, if tlie citizens had desired to arrest 
them could they have done it? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 21 



Answer — Yes, before they got out of town. 

177. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — That is your opinion ? 
Answer — Yes, only so. 

178. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Were you here before 
Lee Nance was killed ? 

Answer — Yes, I have been here for two years in this town. 

179. Question — Do you know anything about any one being shot out 
on the road ? 

Answer — Yes ; Mr. Johnson. 

180. Question — Any one else? 
Answer — No. 

181. Question — Was Lee Nance accused of shooting any one? 
Answer — Yes ; Mr. Dan Ward, who keeps the bar-room, 

182. Question — What day of the week was Nance shot ? 

Answer — I believe it Avas Monday or Tuesday, as near as I can 
remember. 

183. Question — You said the people seemed to want Nance shot? 
Answer — I inferred so by their action. 

184. Question — For what do you think they wanted him shot? 
Answer — Because he was President of the League. 

185. Question — You think that was the reason? 
Answer — Yes, I so think. 

186. Question — Did you see Nance, the night that Ward was shot, 
going in the direction that he was shot ? 

Answer — No. 

187. Question — Was you with him the night Ward was shot? 
Answer — I was in his store about nine o'clock. 

188. Question — What time was AVard shot? 

Answer — I cannot tell exactly ; I came from Columbia that day, and 
this occurred after I went to bed ; the next morning my wife told me 
about guns being fired that night ; I didn't hear them. 

189. Question — You do not know, then, whether Nance was in his own 
house when Ward was shot? 

Answer — No, I do not. 

190. Question — Do you think, from your knowledge of Lee Nance, 
that he had anything to do with the shooting ? 

Aaswer — I do not believe he had anything to do with it. 

191. Question — Was there any disposition manifested by the colored 
people to shoot any one belonging to a difierent political organization ? 

Answer — I cannot say it was not so, for Ward was a man who was 
continually riding about town with his pistol in his hand in a threatening 
manner. 

192. Question — Did he ever threaten any one? 
Answer — Yes ; Mr. Edward Young. 

193. Question— What for? 

Answer — He said that Young was in the party that shot him. 

194. Question — You have heard Ward speak of being shot ? 
Answer — Yes. 

195. Question — Did he say the reason ? 
Answer — No, I never heard it from him, 

196. Question — Were the colored people afraid of his shooting them? 



22 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes. 

197. Question — Is it said Ward belonged to any organization in oppo- 
sition to the colored people ? 

Answer — I have heard so — that he belonged to Fitzgerald's scouting 
crowd. 

198. Question (by Mr. Wright) — This was the general rumor ? 
Answer — Yes. 

199. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Has it any general name, 
as an organization ? 

Answer — Yes, bushwhackers. 

200. Question — Whom does rumor say they bushwhacked— Avhi to or 
colored people? 

Answer — Colored. 

201. Question — Is it an organization to punish colored people? 
Answer — Yes, I think so. 

202. Question — Do you know of a paper, called " The Law," these 
Democrats had published or established? 

Mr. Elliott — I object to that question. 

Mr. Smalls — I do not see anything wrong about that. 

Mr. Wright — Let the question be: has any party, &c. 

Mr. Crews, Chairman, exhibits to witness a printed circular : 

" The Law. — Colored Democrats, you shall be employed at fair wages ; 
you shall have houses to live in. You, in voting the Democratic ticket, 
have looked at what is your good. But, Dogan Kadicals, you shall not 
be employed, nor shall you have houses to live in after the first day of 
January next. When an offiicer is elected to an office and takes an oath , 
and then quits, the oath quits him. Take your name from that hellish 
Radical society list ; you then quit the society, and your oaths quit too. 
The oath you have taken is a bad oath ; no Constitution for it. Join the 
Democrats — quit the Dogan Radicals ; then you shall have work at fair 
wages, and you shall have houses to live in. The Radical negroes shall 
not be employed. If any man in the District shall employ a Radical 
negro, or rent him a store house or a dwelling house, he shall be asked to 
leave ; if he docs not, the law will and shall be applied. A merchant who 
has a black Radical negro clerking or drumming for him, cuts a nice figure 
in the community. Business men, are you not ashamed to have a black 
Radical negro waiting on you ? If you cannot get a Democrat, do the 
work yourself ; there are plenty of Democrats in the District — employ 
them. Robert Tolliver did not vote — he was employed immediately, at 
high wages. If Lewis Butler had not followed in the footsteps of his 
great and good old master, Judge Butler, he could not get a room in the 
town of Newberry ; he is now well fixed at the hotel ; he is a Democrat, 
and can get any place he wants. All quit the Radicals. The white 
people are your friends. The Radicals are not. 

" All read to the colored people, then hand to your neighbor to read." 

— -~ Arrswer (by witness) — Know nothing of it. 

203. Question — You said it was half an hour before the Sheriff was 
ready to start ? 

Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 23 



204. Question — Could the Sheriff have arrested them that day without 
sending to the caui})s ? 

Answer — Yes, if any one had aided him, 

205. Question — Did he try to get men ? 

Answer — Think he did, but no one wanted to go with him. 

206. Question — If you had been in the Sheriff's place that day, could 
you have arrested them i" 

Answer — Yes I could. 

207. Question — Did the Sheriff know Nance was shot until you called 
■with the warrant? 

Answer — I cannot say. 

208. Question — How long a time was the Sheriff gone in pursuit of 
these men ? 

Answer — I am not able to say positively ; it was about nine o'clock 
when he started, and he returned in the evening. 

209. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Who went with the Sheriff in pur- 
suit ? 

Answer — Only the soldiers from camp ; I don't know any of their 
names. 

210. Question — You said that you got out the warrant ? 
Answer — Yes ; Mr. Green Jones went with me. 

211. Question — On the return of the Sheriff from the pursuit, were you 
present ? 

Answer — No. 

212. Question — What time in the evening did he return? 
Answer — About 5 or 6 o'clock ; may have been later. 

213. Question — Did you hear any statement from him. 
Answer — No ; one of the soldiers told me 

214. Question — What Avas the statement of the soldier on his return? 
Mr. Wright — I object. 

Mr. Elliott — It is admissible evidence, merely as a matter of infor- 
mation. 

Mr. AVright — I do not think it admissible only in case where a per- 
son is charged with crime, and had made statements concerning the crime 
wath which he was charged ; then it would be admissible. 

Mr. Elliott — I claim it is strictly within the Rule ; I will read the 
Rule, and the Committee can decide whether to receive it or not. 

(The Rule was read). 

Mr. Wright — I do not object to hearing the statement, but object to 
receiving it as evidence. 

Mr. Smalls — The witness has been telling his story, and now he comes 
to a point about a statement made to him, which may form an impor- 
tant link in the chain of evidence. 

After members of Committee had expressed their views, the original 
question Avas again repeated. 

Mr. Wright — The Clerk will note I object to that, because it is hearsay 
evidence. 

(Witness resumes) — I asked him, simply, how nigh did he get to the 
men (murderers). He told me that he got in sight of them, as nigh as a 
quarter of a mile, about 9 miles from town. At the time they (the pur- 
suing party) got in sight, the two men struck off the road through a 



24 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



plantation, and down the creek, where they lost sight of them ; when, 
however, they (soldiers) got on the lower side of the creek, there they 
found Mr. Dick Gist. They did not see him with the two men that went 
down the creek, but they still arrested him, (Gist,) thinking he knew 
something about them and the murder, and brought him, (Gist,) to town, 
and did not go any further that day. 

215. Question (by IMr. Elliott) — Do you know what officer . was in 
command of the soldiers that day? 

Answer — No. 

216. Question — Do you know the company or regiment? 
Answer — No. 

217. Question (by Mr. Wright)— You stated that Mr. MattheAvs stated 
that if any of his peoj^le wanted to vote he would turn them off'? 

Answer — Yes. 

218. Question — Did they go to vote ? 

Answer — Yes ; but they would not open the polls for them. 

219. Question — Where was that ? 
Answer — Up to Chappell's Depot. 

220. Question — Who was appointed Manager there ? 
Answer — I do not know. 

221. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — How do you know- they Avould not let 
them vote ? 

Answ^er — They said so ; I do not know of my own knowledge ; I was 
told so by the people, for they came from there here to try to vote. 

222. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you know, positively, that the 
polls were not open ? 

Answer — I know so from good men, who said they were not open. 

223. Question — Do you know anything further in relation to outrages 
in the County ; if so, state them ? 

Answ^er — On Saturday night when this shooting was done. 

224. Question — What shooting ? 

Answer — Shooting of Dan Ward. On Sunday morning I got up late ; 
I went to go to Mr. Caldwell's, to see a neighbor, (I was going to see Bel- 
ton Boyd.j in going towards there I met a man, and talked to him, (this 
was near to Mr. Jones',) and was detained so long I found I did not have 
time to go to my friend's, and get back again in town. In passing Mr. 
Williams' house, I saw a boy in the yard, and Dan Ward's horse in the 
lot. I looked at the horse, and he was limping. I asked the boy what 
was the matter with the horse. He said it had been shot, and that ]Mr. 
Ward was in the house shot. He then went into the house, and I returned 
to town. After that they arrested Dogan, and put him in jail, because 
the boy said that Dogan asked if Ward was dead, and said " if not he 
would soon die." After Dogan came out of jail, he came to me and 
asked me if I had a talk to the boy after Ward was shot, and if I reraeni- 
bered what he said. I told him, yes. He asked me if I would go in 
Court, and state it. I said, yes. I was summoned to attend Court, but 
the case did not come up for trial. 

225. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you know of any other outrages ? 
Answer — No. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 25 



T. P. Slider, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. "W^riglit : 

226. Question — How long have 3'ou been a resident of this County ? 
Asiswer — Fifteen years. 

227. Question — Are you an officer of the County; if so, Avhat? 
Answer — Yes ; County Treasurer. 

228. Question — We would like you to give ns a statement of any in- 
timidations or threats of violence that may have been used in this County 
previous to, and at the late general election, or whatever you may know 
in reference to organizations, political or other, that has existed in this 
County? 

Answer — There was a general system of intimidation, by threats and 
force, previous to the election. 

229. Question — Do you know of any threats made? 

Answer — I have been threatened often myself — threatened that I would 
have to leave the County unless I changed ni}'^ views. 

230. Question — Do you belong to any political party ? 

Answer — I do not know ; I have been a Union Republican man all 
my life; I have not been connected with any League prior to or since the 
Avar. 

231. Question — Please go on and state what has been the condition of 
affaii's in this County in relation to politics, etc. ? 

Answer — The feeling was very bitter and hostile. 

232. Question — Bitter against what party? 
Answer — ^Against the Republican party. 

233. Question — Have you affiliated with either party ? 

Answer— I never was a Democrat in my life ; never was a Radical ; I 
have my own peculiar views ; I never was an extreme or ultra man — 
was always a moderate conservative man ; never was a secessionist. 

234. Question — Do you believe that at the late general election the 
people had a free expression of their political sentiments at the polls? 

Answer — Ko, I do not. The white men who voted the Grant ticket 
were spotted here. 

(Refers to an article in the Newberry Herald.) 

235. Question — Do you know of any political organization in this 
County ? 

Answer — ^NTo. 

236. Question — Yv^as there or was there not a general rumor of organi- 
zations in this County ? 

Answer — ^There was. 

237. Question — Was it prevalent? 
Answer — It was general rumor. 

238. Question — Tell us if you heard of any names of such organiza- 
tions ; and if so, give them ? 

Answer — I do not know the names. 

239. Question — Did you vote at the general election ? 

Answer — No. I was away from here on business for the government. 

240. Question — Please state to us if you know of any threats, any 
organization, or any acts of violence, that were concocted in this County to 
intimidate aiiy person or persons from freely expressing their choice in 
voting, before and at the election ? 

4 



26 INVESTIC4ATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I was not here at the election. I have heard general threats 

outside. 

241. Question — Now please state everything you know relative to 
threats or intimidations on either side ? 

Answer — One party used threats in regard to persons voting the Grant 
ticket, or belonging to the Republican party ; the men were abused and 
cursed. Never heard any threats made by those of the Republican paity 
to others. 

242. Question — Was it the general rumor that there was a certain 
party organized to intimidate another party ? 

Answer — Yes. 

243. Question — Please give us the names ? 

Answer — The party called the Democratic party. I cannot tell, myself, 
who they were. 

244. Question — It is said, as general rumor, that there are two organiza- 
tions in this County, one the Union League, the other the Ku Klux 
Klan. Now, then, if you know anything about them please state it ? 

Answer — I know there was a League. I never was in it ; but that 
there was a League, I have been told. In regard to the Ku Klux Klan, 
I know nothing of it prior to the election. 

245. Question— Did you, or did you not, hear of any scouting party 
or bushwhackers ? 

Answer — Yes, as rumor. 

246. Question — Do you believe that there was a free expression of the 
people at the general election ? 

Answer— I do not. 

247. Question — Now just please tell us why you do not believe it? 
Answer — From the fact that a majority of the party who voted in the 

District entertained different views, and it was impolitic and dangerous 
for a man to state his opinion who entertained different views. 

248. Question — Do you believe that it was dangerous for you to enter- 
tain and express an opinion contrary to those who difiered with you ? 

Answer — I do. 

249. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — You said it would be impolitic for 
you to express an opinion different from those of an op2)osite party. Now 
to what party do you allude ? 

Answer — The Democratic party. 

250. Question (by Mr. Wright) — To what party do you belong? 
Answer — I sympathize with the Republican party. 

251. Question— State to lis if you know of any outrages committed in 
this County prior to the election — go back as far as the Reconstruction 
Acts? 

Answer — I only know what I have heard. 

252. Question — Do you know anything of the murder of Lee Nance? 
Answer — No ; I' was not here. I know nothing, either, of the murder 

of Johnson or others. 

253. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Please state Avhat you mean by a 
general system of intimidation ? 

Answer — A general disposition to intimidate any one who voted other 
than with the Democratic party. 

254. Question — How do you know this ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 27 



Answer — From threats to myself and others. 

255. Question — Please state who used those threats — one single person? 
Answer — It was a general thing. I do not want to particularize any- 
one man. 

256. Question — State one expression made to you of an intimidating 
character ? 

Answer — That I would have to leave the County on account of my 
political principles. 

2-i7. Question — State an instance of force resorted to to prevent per- 
sons exercising their political prerogative ? 

AnsAver — There was the killing of Lee Nance, Johnson, and others, for 
their political opinion. 

258. Question — Do you state here on your oath that Lee Nance and 
Johnson were killed to prevent them from exercising their political pre- 
rogatives ? 

Answer — It is my opinion, simply. 

259. Question — State how many persons (in your judgment) were 
killed in this County for exercising their political prerogative? 

Answer — I know of but two ; rumor says there were others. 
2(30. Question — Can you name one instance Avhere force was resorted 
to, although it did not result in death ? 

Answer — I have heard of no other instance. 

261. Question — You infer from the fact that two persons were killed 
that there was a general system of force and intimidation in this County ? 

Answer — Yes ; from threats of a general character made, disposition 
manifested, and information derived from and heard in conversation ; I, 
however, know of no organization, 

262. Question — Do you know if the persons who you said told you you 
would have to leave the County, &c., belonged to a different political or- 
ganization ? 

Answer — Yes ; I know it. 

263. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Please explain what you mean by a 
Union Republican man. 

Answer —I went in for the preservation of the Union and Republic of 
America. There was no Republican party here before the war, but I was 
a Whig. I was a Union Republican man, on the Jeftersonian principle. 
I never was a Democrat, for that party S<nith was the party of secession. 
That is my view. Their principles are the same now as in 1860. 

264. Question — You said Grant men were spotted ? 

Answer — Yes ; I refer you to the article in the Newberry Herald. 

265. Question — Will you tell vis what you understand by the word 
"spotted?" 

Answer — I give it as it appeared in the paper. I presume it means 
marked. 

266. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Do you suppose that was put in the 
paper to intimidate white men, and cause them to vote the Democratic 
ticket ? 

Answer — It was after the election, and was done for effect, I guess. 

267. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you know of any political organ- 
ization in this State ? 



28 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I know of none other than the Democratic party. I know 
of none oi'ganized to commit acts of violence. 

268. Question — Since the election, has it been rumored that the Ku 
Klux existed ? 

Answer — No ; not since. 

269. Question — Do you state positively that you knew of no threats 
nor acts of violence by the Re^^ublican to the Democratic party ? 

Answer — None that I know of. I want to say that I believe the whole 
matter of these disturbances before the election originated from party 
passion and feeling. 

On motion of Mr. Wright, the Committee adjourned, at 1:15 P. M., 
to meet to-morrow, at 10:30 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 14, 18G9. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 10:30 A. M. 
Dennis Moats, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

270. Question — Your name is Dennis Moats? 
Answer — Yes. 

271. Question — You live in this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

272. Q.uestion — How long? 
Answer — Ever since I was born. 

273. Question — Do you know anything about intimidations or threats 
at the last election ? 

Answer — At the time Mr. Hoge spoke here, I saw movements I did not 
like; while speaking, he was interrupted, and, among other things, Billy 
Fair called him a damned liar. When Mr. Hoge went to the train to go 
oft', I saw Dick Gist and about twelve men; they went up, and poked 
their heads in the car window, and seemed to be up to something. Dan 
Ward was with them. 

274. Q.uestion — Could you hear anything they said ? 
Answer — No ; I was not near enough ? 

275. Question — Do you know anything about any murders or outrages 
committed in this County? 

Answer — I do not know ; only v.hat I heard. I saw Lee Nance and 
Johnson, after they were killed. 

276. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Do you know of any others? 
Answer — No ; I was away when Amos Wesley Avas killed ; this was 

before the election. 

277. Question — Those twelve men you speak of you saw with Dick 
Gist, were they armed? 

Answer — I saw the ends of their pistols sticking out from under their 
coats- When they put their heads in the coach, I thought they were in- 
tent on shooting Mr. Hoge, but when 1 saw he went into another coach 
I felt he was safe, and 1 hurried home. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 29 



278. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did these men belong to any political 
organization ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

279. Question— What objections had they to Mr. Hoge? 

Answer — I cannot say, exactly ; you may know from Billy Fair calling 
him a damned liar, while he was speaking. 

280. Question (by Mr, Wright) — How many were there that followed 
Mr. Hoge to the cars ? 

Answer — A great many ; about the train there Avere twelve men with 
Gist, in the middle of the crowd ; he acted as though he Avas captain. 

281. Question — Did they act as though they wanted to injure Mr. 
Hoge? 

Answer — It appeared to me that they intended to do some act of vio- 
lence ; I was not close enough to hear any remarks they made. 

282. Question— You said you have lived here since you were liorn ; lias 
there ever been, in your judgment, a disposition manifested by the citizens 
to intimidate any class of people, to keep them from voting ? 

Answer — Yes. 

283. Question — What class of people have shown such a disposition ? 
Answer — The Democratic party ; all the time abusing the colored 

people ; and when the colored people would not take their advice, they 
tried to force them, and told them if they voted the Republican ticket 
they would not employ them. 

"264. Question — Do you knoAV of any other threats made ? 

Answer — I do not know of any. 

285. Question — Do you know of any organization, or anything they 
called " The Law," that they put out in relation to not employing persons 
who voted a certain way ? 

Answer — No ; I do not know. 

286. Question (by jNIr. Bryant) — You said that the Democratic party 
would tell the colored people if they voted the Bepublican ticket that 
they would not employ them ; who said that ? 

Answer — Mr. WalUice Kline. 

287. Question — To whom ? 
Answer — He said it in a crowd. 

288. Question — Did you hear any one else say so ? 
Answer — Not that I can recollect. 

289. Question — Do you know whether he belonged to the Democratic 
party ? 

Answer — I have heard him say so. 

290. Question — Did you ever hear any other person make such a re- 
mark ? 

Answer — This is the only instance I recollect now. 

291. Question — You think, tlien, from the mere fact of hearing one 
person talk so, that it is grounds for you to say the Democratic party did 
such things you speak of? 

Answer — I have heard others say so ; I cannot now recollect the names ; 
I think I heard enough in justifying me to think as I do. 

292. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — You were at the depot when 
Mr. Hoge went off ? 

Answer — Yes. 



r 



80 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



293. Question — Did you see any one have a pistol in his hand ? 
Answer — No ; but Dan Ward had one buckled around him. 

294. Question — Did you hear any threats made? 

Answer — No ; I was not near enough ; I did not see any of the crowd 
go into the car. 

295. Question — To what party does he (Ward) belong? 
Answer — He identifies himself with the Democratic party ? 

296. Question — Are the colored people afraid of him ? 
Answer — They are somewhat ; they do not like to meet him. 

297. Question — From what you have seen, do you think that those 
people would, last fall, have refused to employ a man unless he belonged to 
the Democratic party? 

Answer — Yes. 

298. Question — Did you hear others than Democrats say so ? 
Answer — No ; never heard a Republican say so. 

299. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you know anything about the 
party that waylaid Dan Ward, and shot him ? 

Answer — No ; I only heard of it the next morning. 

300. Question— Did you hear from general rumor who the parties were 
that did it ? 

Answer — Only heard talk about it ; heard nothing certain. 

301. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said you were raised in this 
County ; did you know Fitzgerald ? 

Answer — No; never knew such a man lived in this County. 

302. Question — Did you know Murtishaw ? 
Answer — I never knew him. 

303. Question (by Mr. ]\lclntyre) — You said twelve men followed 
Mr. Hoge. Where were they coming from ? 

Answer — They were coming down the big road (street) right to the 
depot ; they were on foot, I think. 

304. Question — Did any one appear to be the chief? 

Answer — Yes ; Mr. Dick Gist appeared to act so ; Avhen he stopped 
they stopped, and when he went they went. I thought he was the gov- 
ernor of the party. 

305. Question — Where did they folloAV Mr. Hoge from ? 

Answer — From the court house. This same party was at the court 
house at the time of the speaking. Mr. Hoge went from the court house 
to the train. Lee Nance went with him. 

306. Question — Did you hear any threats made? 
Answer — No, not at that time. 

307. Question — Do you know of parties being kept from the polls ? 
Answer — Yes ; I know of one who was deprived of voting by being 

misdirected to the polls. I live now where they never get to vote at all ; 
they went to the polls where they used to vote ; they went to Cliappel's 
Depot, and, no polls being open, could not vote. 

308. Question — Where were you at the time of the election ? 
Answer — I was here. 

J. F. J. Caldwell, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

309. Question — What is your name ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 31 



Answer — J. F. J. Caldwell. 

310. Question — Do you live in Newberry ? 
Answer — Yes. 

311. Question — Were you here at the last general election? 
Answer — Yes, at Newberry Court House. 

312. Question — Had you been in the County a few months preceding 
the election? 

Answer — Yes, for three years. 

313. Question — Do you know of the killing of Lee Nance, and the 
circumstances ? 

(Mr. Caldwell here requested of theCommitteepermission, asa lawyer, 
to tell the case in his own style, &c. Granted.) 
The question was then put : 

314. Question — How long have you resided in this County? 
Answer — I was born at Newberry Court House ; lived here six years ; 

after that moved to Edgefield ; my father died when I was t\velve ; for 
the next three years lived at Anderson (^ourt House ; spent four years at 
the South Carolina College, Columbia ; studied law in Charleston ; 
joined the Confederate army ; remained there until Lee's surrender ; 
after that come back, and have lived here since. 

315. Question — Please state what you know of the killing of Lee 
Nance or others ? 

Answer — I do not recollect what day of the month it was ; think about 
the first part of October ; I remember the day of the week ; the difficulty 
began on Friday ; the day of the month is not material. There was, on 
Friday, a meeting of the Central Democratic Club of this County ; I 
met Murtishaw there, (the man charged as accessory to the killing of 
Lee Nance — as Solicitor, I made out the indictment against him.) ]\Iur- 
tishaw was very drunk ; he rode about town on a spirited horse, and 
came nigh riding over me and others ; we Avere friends, and knew each 
other well ; he had ridden against many of his friends, and I saw him 
apologize to men who his horse had touched. After a while, I missed 
him, and thought he had left the town. After a while, while sitting in 
my office, which commands a view of the hotel corner, I heard a noise, 
and saw Sam Dogan grasp the bridle of Murtishaw's horse with his left 
hand, and present a pistol with his right ; Murtishaw did not have a 
pistol, for I watched to see if he did draw a pistol. I ran across the 
street to make Dogan loose his hold, and put up his jiistol, and not shoot 
a man Avho was not attacking him ; Dogan let go of the bridle before I got 
over there ; when I reached the corner, Dogan was walking up and down 
with his pistol still drawn ; I told him he had no right to sto]) a man's 
hoi'se, and advised him not to make any disturbance. Dogan said he 
thought Murtishaw was going to run over him. I told him he Avas in no 
danger, and he had better go away, as he was raising a row. He went 
into Mr. Foot's, the corner store ; I followed him in ; Mr. Foot wanted 
to hide him in the store ; I told him it would be dangerous, and would 
not do, as the mob would create excitement about his door, as the liepub- 
licans, as well as the Democrats, were excited by such a display, and I did 
not want a muss. I told Dogan to get out the back way. He went to 
the side door, and turned to me and said there were men ready to shoot him 
there. I told him he was mistaken ; I told him to go out the back way, 



» 



32 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



and I would see that no one should injure him, and he took my advice. 
Several of us tried to get Murtishaw to leave town, and he started. 
That is what I saw in that matter. 

I went out that night with two or three of my friends— Silas Johnson, 
C. Sabers, and others I don't remember ; Avent out to ex})eriment with plan- 
chette, at Capt. Mazyek's, near the depot. The town appeared to be 
very quiet then. We played there with the ladies until 10 o'clock, and 
then started back. As we passed the hotel corner, I met Mr. Brown, 
the bar tender. He told me he had been looking for me for some time, and 
then told me Dan Ward had been shot, up the street. (I suppose it is 
half a mile to Dr. Mayer's, on the road.) I met other men who told me 
the same thing, and Avanted me to go with them to investigate the affair. 
I went up Avith several of them to ascertain the cause. (Others may tell 
you about the firing, I did not hear it.) I AA'ent up to General Williams', 
Avhere A\"ard Avas carried. He Avas badly shot ; the ball entered above 
the hip joint ; he Avas bleeding ; the Avhole room Avas covered Avith blood, 
so it seemed to me. After that, I returned doAA'n the street ; did not 
see any one on the road that could be suspected of the crime. The 
nest morning Avhen I came out I met Mr. Paysinger, (Sherifi") and he 
asked me to assist him in investigating this attempted assassination of the 
night before. We Avent up to General Williams', Avhere Ward lay, an.d 
tried to find out from him if he kncAA^ the parties. We, hoAVCA-er, got 
nothing from him. I Avent doAvn the street 

(Mr. AVright here suggested that the Avitness confine himself as near 
as possible to the point of evidence. Mr. CaldAvell replied that he de- 
sired to make an introductory, and stated that it Avas necessary to make 
a lengthy statement to make a chain of evidence.) 

(Vv'itness resumed) — Well, the Sherifi^ and I Avent doAvn to Lee 
Nance's, and asked him if he could give us anj^ information. Paysinger 
asked the question, and I insisted on his (Nance) assisting us in learning 
something. He said he kncAA' nothing at all about it ; so Ave dropped the 
thing. During the day, information Avas lodged with one of the iNIagis- 
tratcs in regard to Sam Dogan's complicity in the affair. A Avarrant Avas 
issued, and I assisted the Sheriff' in arresting Dogan, and he Avas lodged 
in jail. There AA^as a very violent demonstration made Avhen Ave brought 
Dogan here for commitment — a demonstration Avhich, I thought, 
amounted to an attempt at rescue. That demonstration Ave quelled by 
telling them that the prisoner should go to jail, as he Avas laAvfully ar- 
rested. The Sheriff' Avas afraid of an attempt to rescue that night, and 
he asked several of us to stay Avith him, to guard the prisoner. ScA'eral 
of us slept at the jail ; there Avas no occasion for it, hoAve\'er. Next 
morning, after changing clothes, I Avent to my boarding house, Avhich is 
a mile from here, got breakfast, and returned here. I walked doAvu the 
street to Christian's bar-room, to take a drink ; it Avas early, and a fcAv 
people only Avere on the street. I met Lee Nance, (I think it was near 
Stuart's store ;) Lee spoke to me very politely, as he ahvays did. (I 
thought Lee Nance Avas a Democrat ; I thought he Avas getting into the 
lead of the party Avith the colored people.) 1 went up to the Frenchman's 
store, and sat on the steps talking Avith him. While I sat there, Fitz- 
gerald rode up and spoke to the Frenchman — I cannot remember 
Avhcther he spoke to me — and asked him if he had any apples. He told 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 33 



him no. Fitzgerald said he was sorry, as he wanted some to carry to his 
little daughter ; he bade us good morning and rode oft", but I did not 
notice which way ; I think he went up the street from the hotel. After 
a little, perhaps half an hour, 1 heard considerable talking in the street, 
and walked out to see what it was. I saw i^iim INIurtishaw come riding 
up the street, with a pistol drawn, saying " the damned rascal has got it — the 
damned rascal is killed." Some one asked what that mcaiit. I said, I 
suppose he is drunk. About fifty yards behind him, rode Fitzgerald with 
his pistol drawn. Fitzgerald, as he passed along the street, spoke to his 
acquaintances, and then I was convinced nothing had lieen done. I did 
not believe Lee Nance had been shot, although the rumor had reached 
me. I thought I would go down and see if it was so ; I thought I ought 
to have heard the pi«tol report, as Fitzgerald's was an army pistol. I 
went down and asked Avhat had been done. I met a good many colored 
people on the way, who knew me, and they asked me what they should 
do. Some said Fitzgerald had shot him, and some didn't know. 1 told 
them to go to a Magistrate and make an affidavit, get a Avai-rant, and give 
it to the Sheriii' to arrest Fitzgei'ald, or others, and they got tlie warrant. 
I went to Lee Nance's house, and found quite a mob in there. I saw 
Miller, a colored man, in there, and called him out. He told me Lee 
had just been shot, a few minutes before. I weut in and saw him. I 
asked him who shot him, but he was so exhausted he could not answer 
me. That is all I know of the atfair. I saw him again in the afternoon. 
I felt sorry for him ; he died during the night. I should have said that 
it was late in the afternoon Avhen I again visited him. I ibrced the 
crowd to give back, that he might get air, and I spoke to him, but he 
Avas almost dead. I wanted stimulants given him. Dr. Mayer was there, 
and he said he must die. I went away when I saw he was so low I 
could get no information from him. 

316. Question (by JNIr. Wright) — You say th.at Dogan Avas arrested 
next day after Ward was shot ; was he tried for the shooting ? 

Answer — The indictment was made out ; the case was traversed. 

817. Question — Was it at the last Court that it was traversed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

318. Question — Was it before or after you saw Mr. Nance that you 
instructetl the colored peoj)le to get a Avarrant to arrest the parties ? 

Answer — It Avas before I saAV Nance. 

319. Question — Hoav long before you saAV Mi\ Nance Avas it that you 
gave those persons that advice ? 

AnsAver — A minute or so only. 

320. Question — This Avas about Avhat hour in the day ? 

AnsAA'cr — Well, as near as I can remember, between 8 and 9 o'clock 
in the morning. 

321. Question — What time that day Avas the Avarrant taken out? 
AnsAver — 1 cannot tell positively. I advised them to go to the Magis- 
trate at once. 

322. Question — Was a Avarrant taken out that day or not ? 
Answer — I do not knoAV Avhether there Avas or not. 

323. Questi(ni — Do you or do you not know Avh ether those parties Averc 
pursued that day ? 

AnsAver — I do not knoAV. 
5 



34 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



324. Question — Do you know whether those parties were pursued at all ? 
Answer — I do not know. 

325. Question — You say that you met Lee Nance the day after this 
man Ward was shot, and he spoke to you, and you thought that he was 
a Democrat ; what was your reason for tliinking so? 

Answer — Because a short time before that, Avhen Ave had a meeting to 
organize a colored Democratic club, he was ac our meeting, and seemed 
to me to interest himself in our cause. 

326. Question — Did the colored people attend your meetings before ? 
A nswer — Yes ; but very few of them. 

327. Question — When they did attend were they polite ? 
Answer — Yes ; as far as I know. 

328. Question-— Have they ever raised any disturbance in those mcet- 



mg> 



? 



Answer — AVell, I do not know ; they have laughed at our speeches. 
321). (Question — Can you tell about what time that meeting was held 
at Vv'hich Nance was present ? 

Answer — A short time before he was shot. 

330. Question — Do you read the town ordinances ? 
Answer — Yes. 

331. Question — Do you remember of any ordinance passed in relation 
to persons who refused to join a certain party, stating that if they did 
not they Avould not be employed ? 

Answer — Never heard of it. 

332. Question — Had you received any information prior to the killing 
of Mr. Nance that he belonged to a party different from what you sup- 
posed ? 

Answer — I was fully convinced he belonged to the Democratic party. 

333. Question — Have you ever seen a circular called "The Law?" 
(Circular shown.) 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

334. Question — -How long a time have you been acquainted with Mur- 
tishaw ? 

Answer — I do not remember. 

335. Question — Is he a citizen of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

336. Question — Was Fitzgerald a citizen of this County when this 
murder was committed ? 

Answer — Yes ; I think so. 

337. Question — In your opinion, if the citizens of this County had 
made proper ettbrts to arrest those men, could they have been arrested? 

Answer — Some might have been able to arrest them. The people in 
this town could not, I think. Fitzgerald was a Tennessee scout, and a 
hard fellow. 

338. Question — When Murtishaw rode through the town, and said " the 
damned I'ascal has got it — the damned rascal is killed ;" if the citizens then 
had made efforts, could they have arrested him ? 

Answer — I think not; he was riding at a gallop, and rode out of 
town. 

339. Question— Do you know where he lives in this County ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 35 



Answer — I only know lie lived in the neighborhood of i\Iaybiugton, iu 
this County. 

340. Question — Do you know whether any search has ever been made 
by the citizens of this County, with a view to arrest him ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

341. Question (by ]Mr. Bryant) — To the best of your information, do 
3'ou think these j^ersons, after killing Lee Nance, were pursued ? 

Answer — I am perfectly convinced of it. 

342. Question — From your knowledge and information, have searches 
been made for Murtishaw, near Maybingtou ? 

Answer — They have. 

343. Question — Does Ward, who was shot a da,y or two before Nance 
was killed, live within the incorporation of Newberry village ? 

Answei' — Yes. 

344. Question — Was he within the incorporation when fired on ? 
Answer — Yes ; within half a mile of the court house. 

345. Question — Do you know anytliing about any other disturbances 
or riots just preceeding the election, in this County? 

Answer — I have only heard of some ; I think the name of one was 
Johnson Glasgow or Stuart. 

34G. Question — Do you know anything about that ? 

Answer — No ; only from the rumor that was in town that afternoon ; 
I did not see the body of the person. 

(The witness here desired to make a statement, which was accorded. 
He said from the number of strangers and non-residents in town that day, 
(the day that Mr. Hoge spoke here,) I thouglit the town was very quiet; 
soine one brought a report in that some one had been sliot over by the 
College). 

347. Q,uestion (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Do you overwrite political 
arguments for the Newberry Herald ? 

Answer — Yes; for the Democratic party; never write anonymous 
letters. 

348. Question — Do you know who wrote this communication? 
(Shown to witness.) 

[For the Newberry Ilerakl.] 

July 17th, 1868. 
Messrs. Editors : As a member of a Democratic club, I beg leave 
through the Herald to make a suggestion or two to the various Clubs 
throughout Newberry District. Our situation as a people — I mean Avhite 
people — must surely be understood by every thinking man ; and cer- 
tainly any suggestion that can be made, in which there can he any hope 
of advancing our interests, ought to be tested. The i)ropositions that I 
would make are as follows : Let all members of the diiferent Demo- 
cratic Clubs of the District enter into a solemn agreement, tliat from the 
present time forward they will cm])loy no mechanic who docs not belong 
to some Democratic organization ; neither to patronize any mill, tannery, 
or other place, dependent upon the pul)lic patronage, owned or supei-in- 
tendcd by any other than an out-and-out Democrat. Let all physicians 
belonging to such organizations have a positive understanding with each 
other, that iu no case will they attend professionally to any Radical or 



IQ INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



his family, unless the medical fee is sent with the messenger ; but in case 
the patient be a freedman belongine; to some Democratic club, let hun 
be attended for half price, and if he has no money indulge him until he 
has. Let lawyers act upon the same principle. Let all freedmen that 
are not mechanics even, who take an active part for the Eadical party, 
be treated as suggested above for mechanics. Some insist that we form 
agreements now to drive all Radicals from our premises next January. 
A moment's reflection will convince any one of the folly of such a course. 
It is true that it would be treating them as they deserve, but it would 
be ruinous to ourselves. We must remember that we have everything 
tQ lose, while they have nothing. Thousands of barbarians turned house- 
less and breadless upon a community at any season of the year would be 
ruinous, and most especially would it be so in the month of January. 
This would indeed be " cutting off the nose to spite our face ;" besides, any 
one who knows anything of the deceitfulness and fickleness of mankind is 
Avell aware that if we should have any such understanding with each 
other, how few would adhere to it, if they should conclude their inunc- 
diate interests dictated a ditterent course. Such an argument would soon 
be forgotten, if next January 25 cents for cotton should continue to flash 
forth its cheering beams. Let every one investigate his ov.'u heart, and 
he will know that this is true. The only plan I conceive is that suggested 
above. Let the prominent characters be made to feel, and they will soon 
come over and drag the mass with them. The community might, and no 
doubt will, feel some inconvenience by adopting the course that I have 
sut>-gested. But if we are all as patriotic as we think we are, we Avill not 
mind these trivial sacriflces. AV'^e can undergo them for a short time, at 
least, wliich is all that is necessary. 

SILVER STREET DEMOCRAT. 

Answer — Never saw it before. 

349. Question (by Mr. AVright) — Please read the subject matter of 
that communication ? 

(Witness reads it.) 

Answer — I know nothing of it at all ; it did not come from the Dem- 
ocratic Club. 

350. Question — Was it the spirit of the Club and party to not hire per- 
sons that voted contrary to that party '? 

Answer — No; the question was mooted several times in the clul)s of 
the District. We had 12 or 13 clubs. We had a meeting here in Au- 
gust or September at whicth that matter was thoroughly discussed, as 
there were delegates here from all the clubs. We argued that matter, 
and the club decided almost unanimously to drop every thing of the 
kind. 

351. Question — Do you know Mr. H. C. INIosely, at Frog Level ? 
Answer — I do not know. I do not remember the name at this time. 

I may know him. 

The Chairman — (looking at the following slip): 

" Fro(J Level Club. — At a meeting of the Democratic Club of Frog 
Level, held July 25th, 1868, the following resolutions were presented and 
adopted : 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 37 



" Resolved, That we do approve the declaration of principles as set 
forth by the National Democratic Convention at New York, and do cor- 
dially ratify the nomination of Horatio Seymour, for President, and F. 
P. Blair, for Vice-President, and do pledge ourselves to support the 
cause and the men that the Convention have selected for our standard 
bearers. 

" Remlved, That no member of this Club shall employ, rent lands to, 
or patronize any Radical, after the present contracts shall have expired. 
And that from this date we will not give employment to any freedmen 
who are straggling over the country as day-laborers, who cannot show 
certificates that they are members of some Democratic Association. 

" Our Club numbers one hundred and thirty-six, and still they come, 

" H. C. MOSELY, Secretary," 

He signs himself as Secretary of the Club there. 

Witness — I never attended meetings there. 

352. Question— Did that emanate from your Club ; do you recognize 
it? (Shown the following communication): 

" The Democratic Club of Newberry. — The Central Executive 
Committee congratulate the citizens of this District on the recent elec- 
tions. We have utterly failed to carry them ; but we have proved that 
the white men ai-e united, and that many of the colored men have recog- 
nized and discharged their duty. Twenty-eight hundred and fifty-nine 
votes were cast. • Of these, eight hundred and nineteen were Democratic, 
One hundred of these votes were cast by colored men. Only fifteen white 
men voted the Kadical ticket ! And not one of them of any social or 
political })osition ! Nearly half of the white men of the District did not 
vote at all. We have not shown our strength. But we will ! 

" The Central Executive Committee recommend, that every man Avho 
can at all afibrd it shall introduce foreigners to cultivate our soil, the dis- 
position of the majority of our laborers being such as to warrant only 
ruin to the planting interest of the country. 

" But the Committee especially commend all those men — of whatever 
race or class — who have not voted the Radical ticket ; and they suggest 
that all good and true men stand by them, and see that they receive the 
due rewards of justice and honesty. All men of eighteen years of age, 
who have not voted the Radical ticket, are considered Democrats, and 
will be respected accordingly. 

" It is recommended that the Vice-Presidents proceed at once to enroll 
all the Democrats in their respective Beats, and organize clubs. If in- 
formation is desired, it will l^e furnished by the Central Executive Com- 
mittee. 

"All is not yet lost! Truth, justice and liberty are not yet dead! 
Citizens, stand to your principles, and all will be well ! Be calm ; be 
moderate ; bring the erring into the fold, if possible. But be brave, hon- 
est, self-reliant. We will do no injustice to other men ; but we are re- 
solved that justice shall be done to us ! 

"J. F. J. CALDWELL, 
"SIMEON FAIR, 
" LAMBERT J. JONES, 
"JAMES M. BAXTER, 
"SAMUEL R. CHAPMAN." 



INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes ; I wrote it myself. 

353. Question — Has there been a general disposition to make Demo- 
crats of persons by liolding out inducements about labor on one hand, and 
on the other, if refused, to discard them ? 

Answer — Yes ; that is a matter of course. We wanted to get all we 
could to vote our ticket. 

Thomas M. Paysinger, sworn. 
Direct examination by Llr. Wright: 
854. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Thomas M. Paysinger. 

355. Question — How long have you been residing in this County ? 
Answer — All my life ; 31 years. 

35G. Question — What office were you holding, if any, prior to the late 
general election and after ? 
Answer — Sherilf. 

357. Question — Please state what you know of any disorderly conduct 
or intimidations, if any, in this County? 

Answer — At the time of the election I was here superintending the 
election. The election occupied two days, and was held at the court 
house, up stairs, in the court room. I stood at the steps, and only let so 
many go up at a time. I remained there from 6 in the morning until G 
in the evening. Nothing disorderly occurred at this place. It was very 
quiet ; no one was intimidated, and all voted as they pleased. (]Mr. Al- 
len, one of Mr. Hubbards' deputy Constables, was present.) In the line 
of voters, I gave preference to old men, white and black, and to the rail- 
road hands. There was no disturbance at this poll whatever. 

On the morning that Lee Nance was killed, (which was Monday morn- 
ing,) I went to his house. He was shot before I knew it. He told me 
Fitzgerald and IMurtishaw had shot iiim. I went to the public stables, 
hired horses, and rode as fast as I could to the military camp, wliich was 
then under charge of Major Van Horn. I got from him a guard of a 
Lieutenant and five men, to assist me to arrest them. I hired horses for 
the party, and pursued the murderers. About ten miles from town, we 
got up within half a mile of them. They filed ofl' from the road. We 
took the wrong road and lost them. They went oif into Fairfield. Tliey 
were the men who killed Lee Nance, I know to my certain knowledge, 
from what Nance told me, and from pursuing them I know it was them. 

358. Question — Do you know about any others ? 
Answer — No. 

369. Question — This is all you know, of your own knoAvledge ? 
Answer — Yes. 

360. Question — As you say tliat when you heard tliat Nance was 
killed you went to see him, and he tohl you wlio shot him, how long did 
you remain with Nance before you left to go for a guard ? 

Answer — Tliree to five minutes. 

361. Question — How long a time elapsed before you obtained a guard 
and started in pursuit ? 

Answer — Not more than half an hour. 

862. Question — How far did you go with the guard? 

Answer — Twenty miles. We lost sight of them about ten miles from 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 39 

here. We traveled nil day, and in the [evenhii,^ fuuiid which way they 
weut, -which was over into Fairlield. 

363. Questiou — How long had you knowu Lee Nance ? 

Answer — I never lived in town until since the war, and what I have 
known of him since the war I know nothing bad against him ; he was 
always respectful to me. 

364. Question — Was there a general rumor why he was killed? 

Answer — It Avas because of the shooting which came off on the Satur- 
day night before. Murtishaw came in town and got drunk, and he and 
Sam Dogau had a quarrel, and Dogau pulled a pistol on him (Murtishaw). 
Caldwell and Ward were riding up the street, on the western part of the 
town, and they were fired on, and Lee Nance was accused of being the 
caj)tain of that crowd. 

365. Question — Do you remember of Johnson Glasgow or Stuart 
being killed '? 

Answer — Yes. 

366. Question — Was there a general rumor Avhy he was killed ? 
Answer — I believe I heard from general rumor that it was because he 

was a leading Kadical in his neighborhood. 

367. Question — What was his character? 
Answer — I never knew anything wrong of him. 

368. Question — Were you here at the time Associate Justice lloge 
spoke ? 

Answer — I was not here that day. 

369. Question — If those persons (Fitzgerald and Murtishaw) rode up 
through tow'ii, showing pistols, and stating to citizens that a man had been 
killed, and using language about his being shot, could the citizens have 
then arrested them, in your opinion ? 

Answer — It might have been done. 

370. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — As Sheriff of this County, were you 
called on to take action in regard to the shooting of Mr. Daniel Ward? 

Answer — Yes. 

371. Question — Was a warrant issued for any party? 

Answer — Yes ; for Sam Dogan and William Boyce. I arrested both, 
and carried them to a Magistrate, and they vvcre both put in jail. 

372. Question — What did general rumor say was the cause of Ward 
being shot ? 

Answer — Because of the conduct of Murtishaw on Saturday evening, 
and being in company wdth him (Murtishaw) that night. 

373. Question — Does general rumor say that this party who fired on 
Ward belonged to any political organization in this County ? 

Answer — Yes ; to the Radical party. 

374. Question — How many persons does general rumor say were in 
that party ? 

Answer — Twenty to thirty ; also, that they went out a back street, 
with a leader, under military precision, and were carried around to where 
the shots were fired. 

375. Question — Do you know whether Ward belonged to any political 
organization ? 

Answer — I think he was a Democrat. He was hostile to any man that 
was a Radical. 



40 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



376. Question — Did he, that you know of, ever use threats or intimi- 
dations to any person of the opposite party ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

377. Question — You said that, in your opinion, Fitzgerald and IMurti- 
shaw might have been arrested when tliey came riding through the town 
after the murder ? 

Answer — They might, hut I cannot say positively. 

378. Question — From your knowledge, as an officer, do you think the 
citizens Avere culpable in not arresting these men ? 

Answer — I do not ; for they would probably have forfeited their lives. 

379. Question — At the last general election you were Sherift' ; now, from 
your best information, was there anything like a system of intimidation 
by threats or violence to prevent any persons from exercising their pre- 
rogative of voting ? 

Answer — I do not think so. 

380. Question (by Mr. Wright)— You say that Mr. Ward Avas hostile 
to those belonging to the Radical party ; Avhy is it you say so? 

Answer — From words I heard him say, and not encouraging men be- 
longing to that party. 

381. Question — What were the Avords you heard him make use of? 
Answer — He said " they are all damned rascals." 

382. Question — Hoav long have you known MurtishaAV and Fitzgerald ? 
Answer — MurtishaAv, since 18(i0 ; he belonged to the same regiment I 

did in the army ; kncAV Fitzgerald about three Aveeks before he killed 
Lee Nance. 

383. Question — Do you knoAV Avhere he Avas from ? 

Answer — I think from Tennessee ; he may have been here before the 
war, but I do not knoAV so. 

384. Question — Have you been to Murtishaw's house to try and arrest 
him ; if so, Avhen Avas the last time ? 

AnsAver — I have, about a month ago. It Avas reported to me he Avas 
there. I went there to try and catch him ; have been there several times 
for the same purpose. It Avas reported he Avas living on an island, near 
INIaybinton ; Ave Avent there (arrangements having been made Avith Mr. 
Hulibard, State Constable, and he furnished some men,) and searched his 
house and all around, but could not find him. 

385. Question (by ]Mr. Smalls) — Do you kn w of any threats or in- 
timidations used to keep persons from A^oting ? 

AnsAver — Not that I knoAV. 

386. Question — Do you knoAV of a circular called "TheLaAV?" 
AnsAA^er — I never saAV one ; haA^e heard of them. (Alluding to the 

circular : I know that the spirit of the leaders of Democracy, as expressed 
by Col. Moorman, Avas to keep harmony, and haA^eno threats used.) 

387. Question (by Mr. CrcAvs, Chairman) — You Avrotc a letter to Gov- 
ernor Scott, stating that you folloAved these men (Fitzgerald and Murti- 
shaAv) fifteen miles, and had it not been for R. V. Gist you might have 
succeeded in capturing them? 

AnsAver — Yes ; Avhen Fitzgerald and MurtishaAV left tOAvn, Dick Gist 
had his horse in the stable; they had left only about ten minutes before 
Gist, and he folloAved after them. Gist lives eight miles from here ; ho 
changed horses Avhen he got to his house ; he could see us Avhcn Ave got 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 41 



half a mile from him, and I believe he told them to leave the road, which 
they did. 

388. Question — Have you ever heard that Gist belonged to any or- 
ganization, or party of Ku Klux? 

Answer — I have heard it talked about ; it was so rumored. 

389. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Was that the general rumor ? 
Answer — I only heard so. 

390. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Have you seen him about 
much during political gatherings? 

Answer — I do not remember. 

391. Question — Did you arrest him that day you believed he assisted 
Fitzgerald and Murtishaw to escape? 

Answer — Yes ; brought him to town, and he was taken to Columbia, 
and let out. / 

392. Question — Has he ever been indicted for assisting these men to 
get away ? 

Answer — Yes; I think the indictment was "being accessory before the 
facts," but the (xrand Jury found no bill. 

393. Question — What kind of a man is Vv^ard? 

AnsAVcr — I know nothing bad against him; he does not drink. I con- 
sider him a decent young man. 

394. Question — How long have you known him? 
Answer — Since the war; never knew him before the war. 

395. Question — Where was ho raised ? 

Answer — 1 have heard he was raised about Frog Level ; C. Jones, I 
think, raised him ; he was with him until within the last few years; lie 
now keeps a bar room here. 

39G. Question — Have the colored people here been deprived of work for 
voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I did hear of a few ; there were a few just after the election 
turned ofl'; I mean, tliat was the rumor. 

397. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you overhear of an organization 
liere called the Ku Klux ? 

Answer — No. 

398. Question — You say that general rumor said there was an organi- 
zation called the Ku Klux here? 

Answer — No, 1 did not say that ; I said I only heai'd so. 

399. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Did you hear of a party of 
armed men being in town the day Associate Justice Hoge spoke here? 

Answer — No. 

400. Question — What was the purjiosc of the people in buying so 
many sixteen shooters ? 

Answer — Some said to kill wild ducks, turkeys, &c. — most any reason 
was given. 

401. Question — Was it rumored that they were purchased lo kill 
people ? 

Answer — Some said they had bought them to defend tliemselves, if the 
thing come to a light. 

40'2. Question — Was that the general rumor? 
Answer — Yes. 
6 



42 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



403. Question — Were the white people here willing that the colored 
people should hold League meetings ? 

Answer — I do not think they were pleased with it ; it gave dissatis- 
faction. 

404. Question — Have you heard of the colored peoples' houses being 
fired into at night in this town ? 

Answer — I never heard of any particular case. 

405. Question — Have you ever heard of the colored people disturbing 
the Democrats in their meetings ? 

Answer — No ; neither party has done so. 

406. Question — You stated in your letter to Governor Scott that you 
could not get assistance from the citizens to make arrests ? 

Answer — Yes. I tried to get assistance and could not. 

407. Question — The day that Lee Nance was killed, did you apply for 
assistance ? 

Answer — I called on a few men, and they did not seem disposed to go, 
so, knowing there were soldiers near, 1 went over to the camp. 

408. Question (by ]\Ir. Wright) — You tried, then, to raise a posse 
comitatus in town, did you not? 

Answer — I asked a few men. 

409. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Do the people, generally, 
rejoice at the death of Nance ? 

Answer — I do not think so. 

410. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you really make an effort to 
summon a posse comitatus f 

Answer — No ; for knowing the garrison was so close, I thought I could 
get a i)arty from there. I believe I spoke to three men ; I doubt whether 
many of them Avould have gone. 

411. Question — These men you spoke to, did they wish to go or to be 
excused ? 

Answer — None peremptorily refused. 

412. Question (by Mr. Wright) — This letter you wrote to Governor 
Scott was alwut the facts in the case, was it not? 

Sheriff's Office, Newberry C. H., S. C, 
October 21, 18G8. 
To His Excellency Governor' R. K. Scott. 

Dear Sir : I am sorry to inform you that my Cbunty seems to be so 
lawless. On Saturday night last, a conspiracy was formed and intended 
to be executed, by an unknown party. On Sunday every Avhite man was 
willing to join my posse comitatus. I done every thing in my power, and 
arrested two colored men. On Monday morning Lee Nance, a colored 
man, was killed by Fitzgerald and Samuel Murtishaw ; and I blush when 
I say that not a white man would assist me in pursuing the murderers. 
I went to the Major commanding, and he gave me Lieut. Fletcher and 
four men, and I went after them — was in 10 minutes of them at fourteen 
miles from town, and would have captured them if R. V. (xist had not 
assisted them in esca})ing Ihrough the swamps. 1 lost them. I captured, 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 43 



however, Caldwell and Gist — who you now have in Columbia. I will be 
vigilant, and do all I can. 

Yours, respectfully, 

T. M. PAYSINGER, 
Sheriff of Newberry County, S. C. 

Answer — Yes ; that Avas correct, 

413, Question — Do you believe if you had made a peremptory order 
for a j^osse comitatus from the citizens, it would have been difficult to have 
obtained it? 

Answer — I think there would have been some difficulty, 

414, Question (by Mr, Crews, Chairman) — On the day of election, 
did you see persons Avho wanted to vote that did not belong here ? 

Answer — Yes, plenty ; both black and white, from Edgefield, 

415, Question — Did you see any from other Counties? 
Answer — I do not remember. 

On motion of Mr. Smalls, the Committee adjourned until 9 A. M. 
to-morrow. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S, C, May 15, 18G9. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A, M, 
Present — All the Committee. 
Hiram McMorris, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

416, Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Hiram McMorris, 

417, Question — Are you a I'csident of this County? 
Answer — Yes, 

418, Question — How long have you resided in this County? 
Answer — I have lived here all my life; lived in the town thirty-one 

years, 

419, Question — Were you here at the last general election? 
Answer — Yes, 

420, Question — Do you know of any disturbances; if so, state them? 
Answer— Yes ; I know when Lee Nance was killed ; it was done on a 

Monday morning. I am employed at Mr. Jones' stables. I shut up the 
stable door about dark, on Su)iday evening, and carried the keys to Mr. 
Jones' house. When I come in on JMonday morning, there were three 
horses in the stable that were not there the night before, when I shut up. 
I knew one of the horses, (Mr. Gist's,) not the other two. Mr. Jones was 
there, and told me to clean off and j)ut saddles on the two horses. I 
Avent to breakfast, and when I came back two men Averc coming out Avith 
horses, and rode down the street. Mr. Gist's horse Avas still in the stable. 
In about an hour, Mr. Gist come, got his horse, and rode out of toAvn ; 
that is all I know in relation to the death of Nance, 



44 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



421. Question — You say Mr. Jones told you to clean and saddle two 
horses ; well, what else ? 

Answer — Yes ; I did so. While I was returning from breakfast, two 
young men passed me on horseback. 

422. Question — How long were the two horses gone before they were 
returned to the stable ? 

Answer — Never have been back to the stable since. 

423. Question — Did those horses belong to Mr. Jones ? 
Answer — No ; they belonged to the two men. 

424. Question — Were they in the habit of keeping their horses there? 
Answer — No. 

425. Question — How long had they been in the stable when you were 
ordered to clean them? 

Answer — They were not there when I shut up the stable the night be- 
fore. 4 

426. Question — Did general rumor state that they were the two men 
that killed Lee Nance ? 

Answer — Yes. 

427. Question — What were their names ? 
Answer — Murtishaw and Fitzgerald. 

428. Question — Did you know them ? 
Answer — I knew Murtishaw. 

429. Question — Do you know if they live in this County now ? 
Answer — Yes ; IMurtishaw does ; I do not know about Fitzgerald, 

430. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Who owns the stable? 
Answer — Col. Eennick. 

431. Question — Who is in charge of the stables now? 
Answer— Mr. C. jNI. Jones. 

432. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were you here on the day of the 
general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

433. Question — Did you vote? 
Answer — Yes. 

434. Question — Do you know of any disturbances before or at the elec- 
tion concerning voting ? 

Answer — No. 

435. Question — Was there any general rumor wh}'^ Johnson Stuart was 
killed ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

436. Question (by Mr. INIcIntyre) — Did you understand why he was 
killed? 

Answer — No. 

437. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — You say you brought the 
horses out for Murtishaw and Fitzgerald? 

Answer — No ; I did not bring them out, but I saddled them in the 
morning when I came. 

438. Question — Who come with Mr. Jones ? 

Answer — I do not know ; he had the horses out Avhen I got there. 

439. Question — Did any one ever say anything to you about giving 
evidence before this Committee? 

Answer — No. 



THIKD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 45 



440. Question — Did any one tell you you must not tell about saddling 
those horses ? 

Answer — No. 

441. Question — Did you hear any conversation between Mr. Jones and 
those two men. 

iVnswer — No. 

442. Question — Was there any citizen of the town at the stable for a 
horse ? 

Answer — Only Mr. W. F. Nance the night before ; he got a horse the 
evening before and rode out ; was gone about an hour and come back ; 
he took Mr. Jones out and talked with him. 

443. Question— Where did Mr. W. F. Nance go? 
Answer — I do not know. 

444. Question — Was JNtr. Gist there that evening ? 

Answer — I did not see him ; did not see him until after I heard IjCO 
Nance was killed. I heard ho was in town the night before Nance was 
killed. 

445. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say INIr. Jones told you to saddle 
the two horses, and you saddled them ; now, was this before or after you 
heard Lee Nance was killed ? 

Answer — Before. 

446. Question — How long before ? 

Answer — About sun-up, in the morning. I go to my breakfast at 8 
o'clock, and when I come back they had their horses out. 

447. Question — How long were you at breakfast ? 

Answer — About quarter of an hour ; I got back about quarter past 8. 
I met the two men coming out with their horses. 

448. Question — Who were the men ? 

Answer — One was Murtishaw, the other one I did not know. 

44U. Question — How long a time, after you heard Lee Nance was 
killed, was it that Gist got his horse ? 

Answer — About an hour, I think. 

450. Question — How long was it before you heard Lee Nance was 
killed that Gist put np his horse ? 

Answer — I told you it was not there that night Avhen I shut up the 
stable. I found it there the next morning, which was IMonday. 

45L Question — Were either of the horses you spoke of there the night 
you closed the stable ? 

Answer — No ; for I shut uj) and carried the keys to Mr. Jones' house. 

452. Question — Well, who did you give them to? 
Answer — I hung them up in the fire-place. 

453. Question — Has jVIr. Jones been in the habit of going there at 
night, and unlocking the stable ? 

Answer — No. 

454. Question — Was it an unusual thing for him to do it? 
Answer — Yes. 

455. Question — Were you there that night ? 

Answer — No; I went away about dark. I went homo, about a half 
mile from there. 



46 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



AVilliam Waring, (colored,) sworn. 
Examination by Mr. Bryant : 

456. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — William Waring. 

457. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

458. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — For twenty odd years; since 1841. 

459. Question — Do you know anything about any disturbances, riots, 
or the like, preceding or at the late general election ? 

Answer — I do not knoAV anything. 

460. Question — Did you go to vote? 
Answer — Yes. 

461. Question — Did you vote as you pleased? 
Answer — Yes ; like a man. 

462. Question (by INIr. Wright)— What ticket did you vote? 
Answer — The Republican ticket. 

463. Question (by Mr. Crews) — You have been working around these 
rooms about here ; was it known what your politics were ? 

Answer — Yes. 

46)4. Question — Were you ever turned ofl' for being a Republican ? 
Answer — Mr. Suber turned me ofi' for a little while. I do not remem- 
ber if he said Avhat for. He employed me again after that. 

465. Question — Do you know of any one being turned oft' for being a 
Republican? 

Answer — Not to swear by. I heard some say so on the streets. I was 
in company when others were speaking. 

466. Question — Has it been the general rumor that persons voting the 
Republican ticket would not be employed ? 

Answer — I cannot say positively, as I have only heard so. 

467. Question — Did you ever hear a white man say it? 
Answer — No ; I have heard colored men say they said so. 

468. Question — Do you not know why Mr. Suber turned you off"? 
Answer — I do not know ; I suppose because I voted the ticket. 

469. Question — How long was it before he took you back again ? 
Answer — About two weeks. 

470. Question — Do you think a Republican last fall could have got 
^vork as readily as a Democrat ? 

Answer — Well, they were always getting work. Those that didn't 
would not work, but just lolled about the streets. 

471. Question — Were you here the day Associate Justice Hoge spoke; 
and did you hear him ? 

Answer — Yes ; I was here in the morning, and went home in the morn- 
ing. I left about 9 o'clock and came back at two ; so I was not here 
when he spoke. 

472. Question — Were you in town when Johnson Stuart was killed ? 
Answer — No ; I came just after that. 

473. Question — Do you know the cause of Johnson Stuart being killed? 
Answer — No ; I never heard any one say. 

474. Question — Do you know the cause of Lee Nance being killed ? 
Answer — No ; I never heard any one say. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTlfcCT, S. C. 47 



Nelson Roof, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

475. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Nelson Roof. 

476. Question — Are you a resident of this County ; and if so, how 
long ? 

Answer — Yes ; I was raised in this County. 

477. Question — Do you live in the town ? 
Answer — No ; in the country. 

478. Question — How far from the court house ? 

Answer — About eleven miles. Three niiles below Frog Level. 

479. Question — Was your house fired into ; and if so, when ? 
Answer — Yes ; about Christmas. Shot clean through the house. It 

was awful shooting. 

480. Question — How many shots were fired ? 

Answer — Six or seven shots. They all entered my house. 

481. Question — About what time in the day or evening was it that 
this occurred ? 

Answer — In the night, about 8 or 9 o'clock, I think. 

482. Question — Have you any idea of the number of persons in the 
crowd that fired upon your house ? 

Answer — No ; not exactly. I saw their horses. 

483. Question — How many horses did you see ? 
Answer — Eight or nine. 

484. Question — Were there persons on them ? 
Answer — Yes ; they came inside of my lot. 

485. Question — Did you recognize any of the horses as ever seeing 
them before ? 

Answer — Yes. 

486. Question — State when, and in whose possession ? 
Answer — One was C. Kibler's horse. 

487. Question — Did you know any of the other horses ? 
Answer — Yes ; one. 

488. Question— Whose ? 

Answer — Mr. Ben Campser's horse. I see that horse every day. 

489. Question — How close were you to these horses? 

vVnswer — I was close enough. It was light. I peeped through a crack. 

489. Question — Could you not recognize the parties on the horses ? 
Answer — No ; they were covered. 

490. Question — What did they have over them? 

Answer — They had on false faces, and long white sheets covered them. 

491. Question — In your opinion, why did they shoot into your house? 
Answer — I do not know. I have never done them any harm. 

492. Question — After they had shot into your house, did you complain 
to any one ? 

Answer — Yes ; I Avent to the head man on the plantation. 

493. Question — AVas any action taken ; was any arrest made ? 
Answer — Nothing was done, but he Avas mad, and talked sharp against 

them. 

494. Question — Who was it you went to to make complaint ? 



48 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Jacob Singley. I did not come to town to make complaint 
to a Magistrate. 

495. (Question — Did Mr. Singley say he would attend to it ? 
Answer — No. 

496. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Did you reside at the time of the 
last election where you live now ? 

Answer — Yes. 

497. Question — Were there any meetings held there by either party ? 
Answer — Not that I know of. 

498. Question — Was there any voting place near there? 
Answer — Yes ; at Frog Level, three miles from where I live. 

499. Question — Did you vote on election day ? 
Answer — Yes. 

500. . Question — Did you see any riot or disturbance there? 
Answer — No ; everything was quiet. 

501. Question — Did you ever hear of colored people being threatened 
of being turned off for voting the Radical ticket? 

Answer — No. No one threatened me. 

502. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Was any one shot in your neighbor- 
hood before the election? 

Answer — No. 

500. Question — Do they employ persons on plantations around where 
you live without reference to their i)olitics ? 

Answer — Yes. 

504. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you see them before they fired 
into your house? 

Answer — Well, I was sitting by the fire in my house; the door and 
window was shut ; they come into the lot ; I saw them tlirough the crack 
of the door ; I heard them when they were coming in the road beibre 
they hred on my house ; they fired against the door so hard that they 
knocked off the latch ; I Avas so frightened that I could not speak ; the 
balls went through an inch door ; I went to the back part of the house. 
I never gave them any cause, and I thought they Avanted to run me off. 
Another time, two weeks afterwards, when Jacob Singley was with me, 
Ave met tAventy of them in the road. The Avhole party had on false faces 
and Avhite sheets ; they Avent right on, and didn't speak to us, 

505. Question — Did general rumor say this party Avas the Ku Klux ? 
AnsAver — That is what they call them. 

50(). Question (by Mr. CrcAvs, Chairman)— Is it generally understood 
that the Jvu Klux are in your neighborhood ? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

507. Question— What is the oljject of the Ku Klux ? 
AnsAver — I do not knoAA'. 

508. Question — You Avent to \^ote last election? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

509. Question — Did any one attempt to ])revent you from voting? 
AnsAver — No ; e\'ery one voted as tliey pleased. 

510. Question — Have you heard of any other disturbance excejit the 
shooting into your house ? 

AnsAver — No. 

511. Question — You say you kuoAV about the Ku Klux ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 49 



Answei' — Yes. 

512. Question — What do you know about them? 

Answer — They scared me most to death — they had on those false faces 
and white sheets. 

513. Question — Does nobody have white sheets but Ku Khix? 
Answer — I don't think so. 

514. Question — Have you ever since seen these men tliat fired into 
your house ? 

Answer — Yes ; they have come in the lot for me to 0}>en the door and 
get fodder for them, but I would not do it. 

Jacob Singley, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

515. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Jacob Singley. 

516. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? if so, how lono? 
Answer — Born and raised in this County. 

517. Question — Do you live within the incorporation of this town? 
Answer — Xo ; eleven miles from town. 

518. Question — Do you knoAv Nelson Roof? and if so, how lono? 
Answer — Yes ; for about thirteen years. 

519. Question— What is his character? 
Answer — Always good with me. 

520. Question — Do you know anything about his being distui-l)ed by 
any persons ? if so, state it ? 

Answer — It was on Saturday night, (I think the week after that was 
Christmas, but I am not sure,) that his house was llred upon. 

521. Question — Just please state all you know about it? 

Answer — It was 11 or 12 o'clock at night that I heard a dozen or 
more shots fired, but I didn't think it was at his house. The next morn- 
ing he told me about it, and that six or seven balls struck his door. It 
looks as though forty or fifty shots were fired, as I found, next mornino-, 
six or seven balls lying about, and the house was perfectly riddled witii 
balls. 

522. Question — Were there any steps taken to ap})rehend the parties ? 
Answer — No, not that I kno^w of. I supposed it was a party of young 

men who were drunk, and that it was sport with them. The old mail 
told me he would not go oft'— he would stay, and if they killed him, to 
bury him in the old lot. A few weeks after that I had a relative sick, 
and took the old man one night, as company, with me to visit the sick 
person. We met a crowd of these kind of men ; I bid them good even- 
ing, and went on ; none of them said a word. 

523. Question (l)y Air. Mclntyre)— Were they masked ? 

Answer — I cannot say; it was dark, and I cannot see well without 
spectacles. 

524. Q.uestion (by ]\Ir. Bryant) — Do you know the owner of the horse 
that Roof identified ? 

Answer — Yes; Young Kibler, but he was away that night. 

525. Q.uestion — Where was he? 

Answer — He was said to be in Cohnnbia. I know he was not about 
that night, for when he returned he said to me that if he knew who rode 
7 



50 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



his horse that night he woukl put the law on them. He was mad he- 
cause his horse was rode that night ; he found him in the stable stiff 
from riding. 

526. Question — What portion of the house did the balls strike ? 
Answer — The whole front of it. 

527. Question — Did it appear, from the way the balls passed through, 
that it Avas the intention to kill the old man ? 

Answer — I cannot say ; but they could have killed him if they had 
had a disposition to do it. 

528. Question — Did they molest the other colored jieople ? 
Answer — No ; they all run in their houses. 

529. Question — What kind of balls were they ? 
Answer — Some round, some slugs, and some shot. 

530. Question — Did you hear of any other interruption in your 
neighborhood ? 

Answer — No. 

(Mr. Wright objected to the question in the shape it was asked, and 
stated that it should have been : Do you know, &c.) 

531. Question — Do you know that a party of men did fire on Roof's 
house ? 

Answer — No ; I only heard firing ; I^^didn't think it was his house, or 
I would have got up. 

532. Question — Do you know of any intimidations to prevent persons 
from voting ? 

Answer — I know of none. I told my men^to vote as they pleased. I 
voted, and saw no disturbance at the poll ; I saw no interference ; it was 
quiet, as far as I saw. 

533. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Do you know that Mr. Roof's house 
was fired on ? 

Answer — I have reason to believe it. 

534. Question — Did you pick up balls in the house ? 
Answer — Yes ; next morning. 

535. Question — Didn't you knoAV his house was fired into ? 
Answer — Yes, of course. 

536. Question — Do you know of any threats or intimidations in places 
in this County ? 

Answer — Not of my knowledge. 

537. Question — By general rumor ? 

Answer — It was so rumored ; only from general rumor I know. 

Thomas Williams, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

538. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Thomas Williams. 

539. Question — How long have you lived in this County? 
Answer — Since the 15th of February last. 

540. Question — You lived in Edgefield before the general election ? 
Answer — Yes. At daybreak before the election, the bushwhackers 

had got after me. 'J'hat inoniiug I made my escape ; I escaped I'roni 
them by getting under the bed, and then I went to Columbia. Mr. Hill 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 51 



come down to get me to go back, but I did not think it right safe to go 
back. 

641. Question— Why ? 

Answer — I woukl have been put to death. 

542. Question — How do you know ? 

Answer— He (Hill) told me that no one should hurt nie, unless he 
said so. 

543. Question — Just tell why you left there and went to Columbia? 
Answer— On account of bushwhackers coming in my house to kill me. 

A colored man told me they said if it had not been for me the last one 
of them would have joined the Democrats. 

544. Question — Was it rumored you were the cause of keeping the 
colored people from joining the Democratic party ? 

Answer — It Avas. 

545. Question — What threats, if any, were made against you by any 
persons ? 

Answer — Nobody but Hill himself. He says: "There arc men com- 
ing to take you out to-night, but I do not know what they are going to 
do with you." 

546. Question — From that talk, is that the reason you left? 
Answer — I left when the bushwhackers came in my house. 

547. Question — When was that? 

Answer — The day of election, in the morning before day. 

548. Question — How many ? 
Answer — Only two. 

549. Question — How many did you see? 
Answer — I saw two only. 

5o0. Question — When they came in, what did they say ? 

Answer — They said: "Is Tom here?" I was in the house at that 
time. I then went from my room to my brother-in-law's house, hiil under 
the bed, and stayed there 15 minutes. 

551. Question — AVere these persons armed? 

Answer — I don't kno\v that ; they were dressed in white. 

552. Question — Was it dark? 

Answei" — No ; the moon was shining brightly. 

553. Question — Hoav long after they left before you did ? 
Answer — About 5 minutes ; I started for Columl)ia. 

554. Question — Did you vote that day ? 

Answer — No, sir ; I was obliged to leave to save my life. 

555. Question — Were there any political organizations there that you 
know of — I mean meetings, Ac? 

Answer — Yes ; Democratic meetings, where they gave us dinners to 
get us to vote for them. 

556. Question — Do you know of any organization, then, Avhere they 
held meetings in the evening? and if you do, state the names? 

Answer — I do not know of any in particular. 

557. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You say the bushwhackers came 
after you on the morning of the election about day. Now, how do you 
know ? 

Answer — Why, they come in and said to my brother-in-law : " Where 
is Tom?" He said : " He is not here; he has gone from the house; I 



52 INVESTIGATING C03tMITTEE, 



don't know where he is." They said : " Tell him I live a long w^ays, and 
I promised to come to see him some time ago, and am sorry 1 didn't see 
him. Tell him I am coming again ; if he does not do better I aviU carry 
him to another country." And when he got out on the road he said : 
"Tell him fme) I am sorry I did not see him ; if I had come on him, 
damn him, I would have made hash of him." Sijipy Green, he 

558. Question — What did Sippy Green do ? 

Answer — He beat jiersons. He was a white man, and a Democrat. 

559. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you know those two men who 
come after you ? 

Answer — No. I heard their names. 
660. Question — What were their names ? 
Answer — One is named Talbot ; I forget the other. 
On motion of Mr. Smalls, the Committee adjourned to meet on Mon- 
day, at 10:30 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 17, 1860. 

Pursuant to adjouinmcnt, the Committee met at 10:30 A. JM. 

Present — All the Committee. 

Daniel AVard, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

561. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Daniel Ward. 

562. Question — How long have you resided in this County? 
Answer— For ten years. 

563. Question — W^hat do you know of the diiTiculty that occurred here 
between Dogan and Murtishaw, or oilier citizens? 

Answer — All I know, one evening, (I don't remembe]* the date,) some 
one (I had been in the country) came to nie and said Sam IMurtishaw had 
a fuss with Dogan. I saw Mu.rtishaw was drunk ; I went and took him 
away, and I did not see Dogan or IMurtishaw again that evening. In the 
evening, I went to Mr. Jones' house, and went down the street to 
the depot ; I saw some parties, and stopped in Jones' house. I saw a 
party come out of Lee Nance's house ; there were twelve or fifteen in the 
party. I had been in Jones' house about fifteen minutes when a black 
man come and told me some men wanted to get some whiskey. Tlicy 
rode off and come back again, and wanted me to go to jNTr. IJuzzard's, to 
an opossum supper. I told them I would go, and we started, and the next 
thing I was shot ; that is all I know. 

564. Question — You keep a grocery ? 
Answer — Yes. 

665. Question — How^ far is it from Lee Nance's ? 
Answer — One hundred and fifty or two hundred yards. 
566. Question — What time of day was it you saw these men coming 
out of Lee Nance's house ? 



THIRD COXGREPSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 53 



Answer — About 9 o'clock at night, I think. 

567. Question — Were they armed ? 
Answer — I cannot say. 

568. Question — Did you recognize any of them ? 

Answer — Only Lee Nance. 1 knew lie was in tlie party ; I knew him 
well. 

509. Question — In what direction did they go ? 
Answer — Went about an cast course from his house. 

570. Question — Where were they the last time you saw theui ; near 
whose house ? 

Answer — I think it was the same party, near my stable. 

571. Question — Did you sec them pass Mrs. Ewarts' ? 
Answer— I was near Mrs. Ewarts', betAveen my stable and her house. 

572. Question — How near her house? 
Answer — About forty yards. 

573. Q,uestion — How many were with you when fired on ? 
Answer — Two. 

57 ^. Question — Who were they? 

Answer — Sam ^Murtishaw and William Caldwell. 

575. Question — Whore were you then ? 

Answer — In front of Dr. Mayer's office, within the incorporation of 
Newberry. 

576. Question — Did you see any one before you heard the firing. 
Answ^er — No ; I did not. 

577. Question — How many guns were fired on you ? 
Answer — Between thirty and thirty-five shots, I think. 

578. Question — Was any of your party hit ? 
Answer — None but myself 

579. Question — AVhere were you hit ? 
Answer — In right hip. 

580. Question — Did the ball lodge in your hip ? 
Answer — Yes. 

581. Question — Was your horse hit? 
Answer — Yes ; three times. 

582. Question — What did you do after you were shot? 

Answer — I did not do mucli of anything. I took out my pistol to de- 
fend myself, if they advanced ; but I bled so they took me into Col. 
Williams'. 

588. Question — What did the otlier men do that were with you ? 

Answer — Our horses got separated by the firing, but they came hack in 
some little time, don't know how long, may have been fifteen minutes, 
and took me in the house. 

584. Question — About what hour was it when you left home that 
evening ? 

Answer — I suppose about 9 o'clock ; when I left there, to go on horse- 
back, it Avas about ten. 

585. Question — What time Avas Lee Nance's store shut up that night? 
Answer — About dark ; I don't remember it being open that night, ex- 
cept Avhen that party came out. 

586. Question — Was his store closed Avhen you left home that night? 
Answer — Yes ; the door Avas shut, but there AA^as a light inside. 



54 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



587. Question — What time did he usually close his store? 
Answer — I generally lel't him open when I closed, at 9 o'clock. 

588. Question — Did you recognize any of those persons that fired on 



you 



Answer — No ; I could only see them when their guns flashed, as they 
were behind the fence ; their guns were laid on the fence ; at the flash, I 
could see the row of guns pointing at me. I think there were some in 
the bushes, as there were, I think, some briars in the corner of the fence. 
It was a dark night, and I could not see whether they were colored or 
white. 

589. Question — Didn't they speak at all ? 
Answer — No. 

590. Question — Were any arrests made on account of that firing on 
you ? 

Answer — I think they arrested Sam Dogan and William 

something, I dim't remember his name. 

591. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say you went down to Jones' 
house, about what hour ? 

Answer — About 9 o'clock. 

592. Question — Did you shut up before you went to Jones' house? 
Answer — Yes. 

593. Question — How for is Jones' house from Nance's. 
Answer — About fifty to seventy-five yards. 

594. Question — Where were you standing, when you saw those persons 
come from Lee Nance's? 

Answer — Standing in front of Nance's house, at the church. 

595. Question — ^How far is Jones' house from the church? 
Answer— About fifty to seventy-five yards. 

596. Question — What side of the road were you standing on ? 
Answer — On the side opposite. 

597. Question — Were you looking towards Nance's house ? 
Answer — No. 

598. Question — How many did you say came out ? 
Answer — Twelve or fifteen, I think. 

599. Question — How did you recognize Lee Nance ? 

Answer — I saw him when he stepped out the door ; could see from 
the light ? 

600. Question— Well, what then ? 

Answer — When this party came out, I passed on to Jones'. 

601. Question — Do you think Lee Nance left his house that night, 
after he stepped out the door ? 

Answer — I know he left with that party. 

602. Question — How do you know ? 

Answer — I saw him come out with that party ; he came this way with 
them, (towards court house.) 

603. Question — Did you see Lee Nance that night after you saw him 
at his own door ? 

Answel" — I did not recognize him. 

()04. Question — How long was it before you observed this crowd at 
your stable ? 

Answer — About five minutes ; I don't think it was more. 



TIIIKD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 55 



605. Question — How far is your stable from Nance's house ? 
Answer — About one hundred and fifty yards. 

606. Question — Do you know whether this was the same crowd or not? 
Answer — I don't know that it was the same crowd. 

607. Question — You lived near Lee Nance ; was he not in the habit of 
closing his store about 9 o'clock ? 

Answer — I don't know what time he shut up. 

608. Question — Now, is it not usual, at places where liquor is sold, or 
a public grocery, for persons to congregate, and when the place is about 
closing, that quite a crowd should start away ; haven't you found it so ? 

Answer — I don't know. Other people usually congregated about his 
store. 

609. Question — You say that Murtishaw and Wm. Caldwell were with 
you the night you were shot ? 

Answer — Yes. 

610. Question — Was either of them shot ? 
Answer — No ; none but myself. 

611. Question — Were they near you during the firing ? 

Answer — No ; at the first shot their horses became frightened and ran 
oft: 

612. Question — When did you meet them again? 

Answer —In a few minutes, about seventy-five yards from where it be- 

613. Question — Did you have any conversation with INIurtishaw or 
Caldwell in relation to what crowd it was that fired on you? 

Answer — No ; I said nothing to them. I heard one of them say, while 
on the horse, " Come this way." 

614. Question — Did Murtishaw come and see you the next day ? 
Answer — I believe he did, but I am not certain. I cannot say posi- 
tively. 

615. Question — How many days after you were shot was it that you 
had a conversation with Murtishaw about seeing Lee Nance come out of 
his door the night you were shot ? 

Answer — I never talked with him about it. 

616. Question — Who was it you told you saw Nance coming out that 
night ? 

Answer — Only Mr. B. M. Blease. 

617. Question — -To any other person? 

Answer — I do not remember of sjjeaking to any one else but INIr, 
Blease about it. 

618. Q,uestion — Does Mr. B. M. Blease live within the incorporation ? 
Answei' — Yes. 

619. Question — About how many days after you spoke with Mr. Blease 
was it that Lee Nance Avas killed ? 

Answer — I don't know. I don't remember if it was before or after he 
was killed. It must have been after he was killed. He was killed two 
or three days after I was shot, I think. 

620. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you see Lee Nance open the door 
and come out, or was the door open ? 

Answer — It was open. 

621. Question — Where were vou standing? 



56 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I stopped at the church when the door was opened. 

622. Question — Do you knov/ -whether JMr. ]Sauce had bought whisky 
that afternoon ? 

Answer — I think he did that evening. I am not certain. 

623. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stopped at the church door ; 
why did you stop there? 

Answer — I was waiting for a girl to come back. 

624. Question — What were you waiting for her for? 
Answer — I had made an apjiointment to meet her. 

625. Q,uestion (by Mr. Smalls j — You say you were standing near the 
church when you saw Lee Nance's door open ; did you see Nance dis- 
tinctly ? 

Answer — Y"es. 

626. Question — Could you see whether any of the party had arms ? 
Answer — One or two had sticks, but I cannot say if any had arms ; I 

didn't pay much attention, as I was on other business. 

627. Question — Y"ou say you saw that same party when you went to 
your stable ? 

Answer — Y"es. 

628. Question — Had they been after you, could they not have shot 
you at the stable ? 

Answer — Yes ; of course they could. 

629. Question — Wlien you were invited to go to that opossum supper, 
was it generally known ? 

Answer — No ; I do not think so. 

630. Question — Well, then, do you think this party could have banded 
together to waylay you on your way to the supper ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

631. Question — Don't you think it was bushwhackers, who lay about 
the country to shoot j^eople, that did it ? 

Answer — I have no idea. 

632. Question — Was it not general rumor that there were bushwhack- 
ers about here ? 

Answer — I do not know. I believe I have heard it as a general 
rumor. 

633. Question— Do you know of their killing any one ? 
Answer — I never heard of their killing any one. 

634. Question — ^Don't you think it was such a party that shot you ? 
Answer — I don't think so. 

635. Question — Y"ou think that those men knew it was you coming 
along ? 

Answer — They might have known it. 

636. Question — Did you ever have any difficulty with Nance or any 
one in town ? 

Answer — No ; not with a white man or black, that I know of. 

637. Question — Are they in the habit of sliooting persons here on ac- 
count of their political opinions ? 

Answei" — I don't know. 

638. Question — Do you firndy believe that it was the party that came 
out of Lee Nance's house that night that shot you ? 

Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 57 



nSO. Question — Is it, or is it not, a strange thing to see colored men 
walking around here with guns ? 
Answer — I don't know positively. 

640. Question ( by Mr. CrewsJ — Is it the habit with young men about 
here to wear pistols ? 

Answer — I cannot say. 

641. Question — Do you f 
Answer — I do sometimes. 

642. Question — Are you afraid of any one attacking you, the reason 
you carry a pistol ? 

Answer — No ; not particularly. 

643. Question — Do you carry one now? 
Answer — Yes ; I do. 

644. Question — Do you know anything of a company of armed men, 
said to have been formed before the election ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

645. Question — Do you know of a company that came here the day 
Judge Hoge spoke ? 

Answer — No; I never heard of it. 

646. Question — Did you see Dick Gist about here the day you Avere 
shot ? 

Answer — I don't remember ; I may have. 

647. Question — Did you ever hear he had a company for bushwhack- 
ing '? 

Answer — I did not. 

648. Question — Don't you think those pistols were carried before the 
election to intimidate colored people ? 

Answer — I dc not. 

649. Question — Was there a determination last fall to prevent the 
colored peo])le from voting, unless they voted the Democratic ticket? 

Answer — No. 

650. Question — Did you ever hear the white men say they would not 
employ the colored people, unless they voted the Democratic ticket. 

Answer — No ; I iTid not. 

651. Question — To what party do you belong? 
Answer — The Democratic party. 

652. Question — What is the object of the Democratic party ? 
Answer — I do not know. 

658. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You said you were opposite Nance's 
house when this party came out, and that you were waiting there for a 
girl ; did she meet you ? 

Answer — No; she did not come. 

654. Question — You say there were thirty to thirty-five shots fired at 
you and those two men ? 

Answer — Yes; I think so. 

655. Question-^Were they fired all at one time ? 
Answer — No ; fired at intervals. 

()iy(). Question— It was fifteen minutes after that that Murtishaw and 
Caldwell came back ; did they say who those parties were ? 
Answer — I don't think so. 
657. Question — Did you have your senses ? 
8 



VS^ INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I was weak ; I could not hear. 

658. Question — Did you ride to Col. Williams' house, after the shoot- 
ing? 

Answer — Yes ; I rode to the house, but t]iey cai'ried me in. 

659. Question (by jNIr. Wright) — AVere you and Leo Nance good 
friends ? 

Answer — We were. 

660. Question — This girl you made an appointment with, was she 
white or colored ? 

Answer — White. 

661. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you see any other citizens that 
saw those parties come out of Nance's. 

Answer — I didn't see any ; I heard other parties say so. I heard John 
White say he and Tench Poole saw them. 

C. M. Jones, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

662. Question — What is your name? 
iVnswer — C. M. Jones. 

(jiio. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — I am. 

664. Question — Of this town ? 
Answer — 1 am. 

665. Question — How long ? 
Answer — About twenty years. 

666. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Mechanic and livery stal>le keeper ? 

667. Question— Have you ever had in your stable a horse or horses 
that were supposed to belong to or used by either Wm. Fitzgerald or Sam 
Murtishaw ; if so, state about it ? 

Answer — There were two men Avho came to my stable one morning, 
about sun-up. They rode up and said they Avanted tlieir horses fed and 
cleaned up, for they wanted to leave Avhen they got breakfast. Their or- 
der was to feed right away; it is not usual to feed until dinner time. 

668. Question — Was their request complied Avith ? 
Answer — Yes ; their horses were fed and cleaned oft'? 

669. Question — How long did the horses remain there ? 
Answer — I think about tAVO hours. 

670. Question — Did they return for them, and take them aAvay ? 
Answer — Yes ; the horses Avere saddled, and they rode off. 

671. Question — Did any person call Avith them at cither time ? 
Answer — No. 

672. Question — Plad not some person been there prior to when they 
called, to engage stable room for their horses? 

Answer — No; no previous engagement at all. 

673. Question — AVas any horse taken there about the same time they 
took their's ? 

AnsAver — Not that I recollect of? 

674. Question — Was there or Avas there not another strange horse 
there, at that time? 

Answer — Yes, there Avas. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 59 



G75. Question— Wiiose was it? 

Answer — Mr. Richard V. Gist's liorse. 

G7G. Question — You say Gist's horse was there; what time (if that 
morning) did that horse come? 

Answer — His horse was put up the evening before. 

077. Question — By whom was it put up ? 

Answer — By ]\Ir. Gist. 

()78. Question — How long after those other two horses were taken away 
did Mr. Gist take his horse aAvay ? 

Answer — About one hour and a half, as near as I can recollect; per- 
haps longer. 

()79. Question — Did you know either of the two persons that came 
that morning to put up the horses? 

Answer — No; I was not acquainted with them. One, I thought, was 
the little man, who was here on the Saturday before, that had the diiil- 
eulty with Sam Dogan. 

G80. Question — Has general rumor given you reasons to believe since 
who they were? 

Answer — Rumor was that they were Fitzgerald and Murtisliaw. 

G81. Question — Plow long have you been acquainted with Gist? 

Answer — A number of years. 

G82. Question — How many ? 

Answer — About ten years. 

G83. Question — What is his general chai'acter ? 

Answer — He is a sort of a braggadocio man ; he lies a heap, spins big- 
yarns, and is a big tale teller. 

G84. Question — Do you remember of some persons coming there the 
night that Gist put up his horse; or that day, and speaking about two 
men coming there to put up their horses ? 

Answer — No ; not one. No such arrangements were made. 

G85. Question — About how long was it after the shooting of Lee 
Nance that persons came to your stable to hire horses to go in pursuit of 
the offenders ? 

Answer — The first I heard of it was when Paysinger (SheriH') came 
for horses. He told me Nance had been shot. 

G8G. Question — Did he get the horses ? 

Answer — No ; I turned out a horse that morning before I knew what 
had been done, and I had sent a team to haul a dead horse; so my horses 
were all out. 

G87. Question — How many horses did you have at that time ? 

Answer — I had four. 

G88. Question — Wliere was the other one ? 

Answer — One w'as sick. 

G89. Question — How much did the Sherifi' offer you for a horse that 
morning? 

Answer — He did not offer me anything. 

690. Question — Did some other person come there for a horse after the 
Sheriff had been there? 

Answer — Not that I recollect. 

G91. Question — Do you know of anj' other outrages or difficulties be- 
fore or at the election '.' 



60 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — None but this. 

692. Question — Can't you mention any other you knew about ? 
Answer — Well, I saw a colored man lying in the road, that had been 

shot, so I had been informed. 

693. Question — Who was that man ? 

Answer — I believe they called him Johnson Stuart. 

694. Question — Had you known this man Johnson Stuart before ? 
Answer — No. 

695. Question — When was it he was shot ? 
Answer — I do not recollect. 

696. Question — Did general rumor say why he was shot ? 
Answer — No. 

697. Question — Had there been a political meeting within the incor- 
poration that day ? 

Answer — I don't know but what there was. There was a large gath- 
ering of colored people that day. 

698. Question — How long had you known Lee Nance ? 
Answer — Ever since I lived here. 

699. Question — What was his general character? 
Answer — Very good ; he was a peaceable boy. 

700. Question — Just such a man as a boy ? 
Answer — Yes ; I never heard anything against him. 

701. Question — Did he belong to any organization? 
Answer — I do not know. 

702. Question —Was there any rumor to that effect ? 

Answer — There were reports that he was a member of the League, 
and that he was President of it. 

703. Question — When did you hear tliat? 
Answer — A short time before he was shot. 

704. Question — Did that not seem to create some consternation among 
the people ? 

Answer — I do not think so ; it was only rumor. 

705. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — What did general rumor say was the 
cause of Nance being shot ? 

Answer — I understood that he was at the head of a party that am- 
bushed some men the Saturday night previous. 

706. Question — Did you see any man that had been ambushed ? 
Answer — Yes; Mr. Dan Ward. General rumor said that he had been 

shot while riding out that night. His horse was badly shot ; it had to 
be killed. 

707. Question— General rumor said that Lee Nance was shot because 
he was one of the party that fired on some young men ? 

Answer — Yes. 

708. Question — Did you see Ward while suffering with his wound ? 
Answer — Yes. 

709. Question — AVas he seriously injured ? 
Answer — Yes ; I did not think he would get over it. 

710. Question — Who did he say had shot him ? 

Answer — He didn't say. I think he said he thought he recognized 
some of them by the Hash of their guns. 

711. Question — Who did he say that they were ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 61 



Answer — He didn't tell me. 

712. Question — Who else did general rumor say belonged to this party 
that lired into AVard's party ? 

Answer— General rumor said Sam Dogan was in the crowd, and one 
Matt Gray and others Avere mentioned. 

713. Question — What did general rumor say was the cause of these 
men firing into Ward's party ? 

Answer — I think from that little fracas between Dogan and Murti- 
shaw, on that afternoon. 

71-1. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say that general rumor said 
Sam Dogan, Matt Gray and Lee Nance were in the crowd who tired on 
Mr. Ward ? 

Answer — Yes. 

715. Question — After general rumor had established that fact, did or 
did not the authorities take measures to bring those parties to justice ? 

Answer — Yes ; Dogan was arrested. 

716. Question — Were any of the other parties named arrested ? 
Answer — No ; I do not think so. 

717. Q,uestion — Tell us the reason ? 

Answer — I think Lee Nance would have been arrested on Monday 
morning if he had not been killed. 

718. Q,uestion— What night was Ward shot? 
Answer — On Saturday night. 

719. Question — Was not Dogan arrested and in jail when Lee Nance 
was shot? 

Answer — I think so. Dogan was arrested on Sabbath evening. 

720. Question — Were you about the office when the testimony which 
led to his arrest was given ? 

Answer — No. 

On motion of Mr. Smalls, the Committee adjourned, to meet at 
3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

Basil M. Blease, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

721. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Basil M. Blease. 

722. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Been here since 1856. 

723. Q.uestion — What is your occupation? 

Answer — Before the war, I was a saddler ; I am Town Marshal at this 
time. 

724. Question — How long have you been Town Marshal ? 
Answer — Since the l(>th of last November. 

725. Question — If you know of any disturbances or outrages commit- 
red in this County, prior to and at the late general election, please state 
them ? 



62 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I cannot spoalc knowingly of any one. At the time of the 
election I was here, and things were very quiet. Previous to the elec- 
tion, about the time Nance was killed, there was a good deal of confusion ; 
I don't say that the election coming on had anything to do with it ; I 
can't speak knowingly. AVell, I will say: I had been to Edgefield 
Court House, and as I come in town I met the editor of the paper, and 
he said : " AVe are about to have a war in town ;" and told me that 
IVIurtishaw and Dogan had had a row in the street. I then saw Murti- 
shaw in the street, and he was drunk. A gentleman told me t > get him 
away, so I went up to him and told him to go home. He said : " I 
cannot go home to my wife and tell her that a damned nigger presented 
a pistol to my breast and I not resent it." I said : " You are drunk, 
and you must leave;" and I got him to go to my place in toAvn, talked 
to him a while, and then walked back with him to the bar-room, took a 
drink of sherry, and he got on his horse. I savv' Dan Ward, (a young- 
man who lived with me several years,) and said : " Dan, try and get 
this boy away." (I Avas not Marshal then.) He said he would, and 
they started out of town, and I went home and v.ent to bed. I heard 
fire arms, which appeared about sixty yards from my house. My wife 
asked me what it was, and wanted me to get up. I said no ; I had heard 
too many guns fired about at nights. Previous to the shooting, I heard 
some horse pass my house, Avhile I was in bed, and IMurtishaw galloi)ed 
back, and told me that Dan AVard was shot. 

72G. Question — AVhen was this ? 

Answer — I judge it was in October, from circumstances. AVewent up 
and found a doctor with AVard. I had him removed to my house ; next 
day everybody and all sorts of people came to sec him ; some colored peo- 
ple came too. 

727. Question — AVas Murtishaw there ? 

Answer — Yes ; AVard was brought to my house on Sunday, and I had 
him put in the big front room. That night, while in the house, some 
one said to me, " There are two men outside on horseback." One of them 
said : "Mr. Blsase, can we put our horses up here?" (Murtishaw and Fitz- 
gerald wex-e together.) I said : " Yes, you can put them in the stable, but I 
have nothing to feed them on." 

728. Question — Did you go to the stable with them ? 

Answer — I do not remember ; they came in the yard, I then went in- 
side the door. AVard was very feeble and bad that night, and I thought 
he would die. I asked them to take supper, but I don't think they did. 
I had a bottle of whisky, and offered them a drink, but I think they re- 
fused. 

729. Question — AVhen Avas that ? 

Answer — On Sunday night, about an hour after dark ; supper Avas over ; 
they came down the street before I did. I Avas using efforts to see if I 
could ilnd out Avho shot AVard. That evening I met iNlr. Larsen, and 
says he to me : " Don't you Avant a drink ?" I said : "Yes," and ho took me to 
the Commissioner's office, and seA'eral others came up, and Ave took a drink. 
Fitzgerald was in there, but MurtishaAV Avas not. Fitzgerald was sitting back 
in an arm chair. AVe Avere talking, and he did not say anything, so I 
said: "Fitz, are you asleep V" He said: "No," but that he was sleepy. I said : 
" If you Avill go to my house, and see the black boy, and tell him to show 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 63 



you my room, you can sleep in there, if you like; you will find a mattress 
on the floor." I stayed in town until between midnight and day. I found 
Fitz asleep on the mattress, at my house, when I went home ; I thought 
no more, and went to bed. Next morning, my wife looked out and said 
"Those men have their horses out, and are about to leave." I said, " Tell 
them if they wait I will give them breakfast." She told them, and one said : 
"No, I thank you, mam; we can't wait for breakfast." Well, an hour ai'ter 
that, I came down town, and was standing in front of Dr. Guion's 

730. Question — This v.as on Monday ? 

Answer — Yes ; while I was standing there, Fitzgerald and jMurtishaw 
rode up. Fitz asked for apples ; (Dr. keeps a store, &c.;) he said he 
wanted some for his little girl. 

731. Question — About what hour was that? 

Answer —After my breakfast, about 8 o'clock ; between 8 and 9 o'clock, 
as near as I can judge. 

732. Question — They had their horses in your stable that nu)rning? 
Answer — They took them out that morning ; they were there the 

night before. Well, as I was saying, I said to IMurtishaw : " I thought you 
fellows were half-way home by this time." They said they started, but 
didn't go. He said he wanted to buy a pair of scissors, but the hardware 
store had none. (I thought they were half Avay to Maybinton). 

733. Question — How long after that was it before you heard of the 
shooting of Lee Nance? 

Answer — In about twenty minutes. I saw the same two men galloping 
across the street, and the cry was raised that Lee Nance was shot. They 
went up the street, and I have never seen them since. 

734. Question — At the time that those cries were raised, did you hear 
who had committed the deed? 

Answer — In a few minutes after, (in about five minutes, I think,) it was 
said Fitzgerald had shot him. 

735. Question — Where were those two men, at the time the cry was 
raised ? 

Answer — They were within the incorporation. 

736. Question — How far were you from Nance's house ? 

Answer — Nance lived down town, and I was up in the upper section. 
I was talking to some gentlemen. I saw something was the matter. I 
asked what was the matter, and was told Nance was shot. I met some 
gentlemen who repeated it, and then the streets, at that time, got fall of 
people — about three hundred persons. Shortly after I heard the Sherifi' 
say he was going for soldiers to pursue them. 

737. Question — At the time of this consternation, was any eflTort made 
to arrest the ])arties ? 

Answer — No ; the Sheriff said he was going to pursue them. 

738. Question — Did you have any conversation with the Sherifi", to try 
to get him to pursue them? 

Answer — No, he was Avalking, and I just spoke ; I said, " Are you going 
after those naen ?" He said " Yes," and walked on in a great hurry. 

739. Question — Are you acquainted Avith Mr. C. M. Jones ? 
Answer — Yes. 

740. Question — What is his business ? 
Answer — Keeps livery stable. 



64 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



74:0. Question — Do you know anything about strange horses being there 
any time? 

Answer — I don't know anything about it. 

741. Question (by Mr. Mclntyrc) — What was the character of Lee 
Nance? 

Answer — I knew hira well ; he was a stirring fellow, and tried to take 
care of himself. I never knew him to do anything out of the way. I 
didn't like him, (so it ain't a fair question,) and he never liked me. 

M. Foot, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

742. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — M. Foot. 

743. Question — Did you live here previous to the war? 
Answer — Yes; lived here since 1857. 

744. Question — Please give us a statement of the general condition of 
afiairs previous to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — What do you mean ? 

745. Question — Well, whatever you know" in relation to outrages, in- 
timidations, or threats; if any? 

Answer — I don't know much information of them. I am a man that 
is always at home ; I don't mix in with any politicians. I don't know of 
any attempts to intimidate any one. 

74G. Question — Do you belong to any ])olitical organization ? 

Answer — No. 

747. Question — Were you in town the day Lee Nance was killed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

748. Question — Did you see any of the affair? 

Answer — No; I only heard of it ; I was in my store the whole time. 

749. Question — Do you know anything about the difficulty between 
Dogan and Murtishaw ? 

Answer — It happened in front of my store ; after the difficulty, Sam 
Dogan came in my store, and I took him in a back room. 

750. Question — Did Dogan state to you the cause of the trouble with 
jMurtishaw ? 

Answer — No ; I told him he was in my house, and need not fear any- 
thing. I opened the back door, and he went off 

751. Question — Did general rumor say there was an organization about 
here, called the Ku Klux ? 

Answer — I didn't know of any such thing. I read about it in the news- 
pa])ers; mostly in New York papers. 

752. Question (by i\Ir. Wright) — What papers did you say you saw it 
in, about the Ku Klux? 

Answer — AVell, have seen it in the New York Herald. I can't say that 
I saw it in all papers that there was supposed to be such an organiza- 
tion. 

753. Question — Did you vote at the last election ? 
Answer — I did. 

754. Question — Have you heard conversations in reference to colored 
people voting? 

Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 65 



755. Question — AVhut was the general feeling about it ? 
Answer — There was some hard feelings on both sides. 

756. Question — Did you ever see any demonstration here among colored 
people that looked like violence, at meetings or to citizens? 

Answer — I can't say I didn't. There was a time wlien the colored 
people, if they had not been kept back, they would have done some- 
thing. 

757. Question — When was that ? 

Answer — The day beibre the morning of election. 

758. Question — What took place the day before the election ? 
Answer — A certain colored man 

759. Quer-tion — I am asking about a general demonstration? 
Answei- — I can't say anything for or against them. 

760. Question — Were you here at the time a meeting was addressed 
by Justice Hoge, now a member of Congress? 

Answer— Yes. 

761. Question — Were you in attendance at the meeting? 
Answer — No. 

762. Question — Did you see any demonstration of violence that day ? 
Answer — 'No. 

76'3. Question — Did you liear of any ? 

Answer — No. I licard there was a meeting going on at tlie court 
house, but I saw nothing going on. 

704. Question — Did you know of a man being kilh'd that evening? 

Answer — I think there was a colored man killed on the road that 
evening. 

765. Question — As you heard that man was killed that evening, what 
was the general rumor why he was killed ? 

Answei' — I didn't hear. 

766. Question — Are you connected with any political organization 
here ? 

Answer — No. I have gone to hear the speaking. 

767. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Did you ever hear it said 
among the ])eople that the whites were determined not to employ the 
colored men if they voted the Republican ticket? 

Answer — I heard some such expressions made ; there wei*e such cx- 
pr'ssions made. 

768. Question — That was the general feeling among the Democrats ? 
Answer — Yes, I think so. 

769. Question (by Mr. Wright)— Was that the general feeling that 
pervaded the people here — I mean the Democrats ? 

Answer--! cannot say; I don't get into political arguments with one 
side or the other. 

At 6 P. M., on motion of Mr. Wright, the Committee adjourned to 
meet to-morrow, at 9 A. M. 



66 



INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 18, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournmeut, the Committee met, at 9 A. M. 
James E. Peterson, called and sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

770. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — James E. Peterson. 

771. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes ; I live in this town. 

772. Question — How long have you resided here? 

Answer — Was born in the County, and have lived in town about 15 
years. 

773. Question — You were here prior to the election ? 
Answer — Yes, all the while. 

774. Question — Do you knoAV of any outrages having been committed 
prior to or at the late general election ? 

Answer — No, not a thing. The election was quiet in this town. 

775. Question— Were you out on the day of election ? 

Answer — No ; only in the morning early, to vote. I was in my office 
until 5 o'clock in the evening, as I was a jNIagistrate at that time. 

776. Question — Why are you not now? 

Answer — I received orders to stop operations. I got the notice al)out 
the 1st Monday in January ; I am not positive ; it was signed Cardozo, 
Secretary. I know no reason why I was stopped. 

777. Question — Did you issue a warrant against W. P. Harris? 
Answer — Yes. 

778. Question— What for ? 
Answer — For false imprisonment. 

779. Question — 'Who was it he falsely arrested ? 
Answ^er— K. V. Gist and Wm. Caldwell. 

780. Question — What was the subject matter of the affidavit ? 
Answer — That he had arrested them for nothing, and, without author- 
ity or commitment, lodged them in jail. 

781. Question — Prior to your issuing the warrant of arrest for Harris, 
was he (Harris) summoned before you ? 

Answer — After he was arrested he Avas brought before me, and ho 
Avould not give l)ail, and Aveut to jail. 

782. Question — Did you give him a preliminary hearing? 
AnsAver — No ; he Avould not have any. 

783. Question — Did you ask him to shoAV his authority for making the 
arrest ? 

AnsAver — He said he Avas a Deputy Constable. 

7H4. Question — Did Gist and Caldwell make affidavit before you that 
they asked Harris to shoAv his authority ? 
AnsAver — I could not say. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. ()f 



785. Question — I understood you to say you did not ask Harris to 
show his authority ? 

Answer — I say no ; for I knew he had authority as Deputy Constable. 

786. Question — Did he not, before you, say that he arrested them on his 
authority as Deputy Constable? 

Answer — I don't think so. 

787. Question — What has been done with that case? 

Answer — I don't remember. I returned my papers to the Clerk of 
the Court ; I made return on return day. 

788. Question — What were Messrs. Gist and Caldwell arrested for? 
Answer — 1 never knew. 

789. Question — Has there been, for the last year, more or less State 
cases before you ? 

Answer — A good many. I just received them, and turned them over 
to the Solicitor. 

790. Question— Turn over all ? 
Answer — Yes. 

791. Q,uestion — Settle any cases ? 

Answer — I might have settled some little case of fighting. 

792. Question — Have you settled any cases except misdemeanors ? 
Answer — No. 

793. Question — About how many of those eases have been settled be- 
fore you ? 

Answer — A very few. 

794. Question — Were you one of the Commissioners of Election ? 
Answer — Yes; at the general election. 

795. Question — Who were the other C'ommissioners ? 
Answer — H. H. Kinard and Lee A. Nance. 

796. Question — Were you acquainted with Nance ? 

Answer — Yes ; knew him since he was a little bov about eiaht vears 
old. 

797. Question — Do you know anything of the circumstances of his 
death ? 

Answer — No ; not a thing about it. 

798. Question — Did you hear them after he was shot? 
Answer — Yes. 

799. Question — How long before he Avas shot did you see him ? 
Answer — Not more than two hours. 

800. Question — About Avhat hour was he shot ? 

Answer — Between 8 and 9 o'clock, I would say. I think it was after 
6 — about 7 — that I saw him that morning. 

801. Question — How did you come to see him ? 

Answer — Gen. Kinard, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, 
was sick at home, and sent me a note to come, and get Lee Nance to come 
with me, to his room ; and we Avent to his room. 

802. Question — Was that the first time you had seen him that morn- 
ing ? 

Answer— Yes. I went to his (Nance's) house after him ; avc walked 
up together to Gen. Kinard's house. 

80o. Question — Were there or were there not unusual scrapes and 
bows to Lee Nance that morning when he walked alone:? 



68 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I never noticed it. 

804. Question — Were you acquainted with Fitzgerald and jMurtishaw? 
Answer— I never saw Fitzgerald but twice. I knew Murtishaw for 

six or eii^dit months. I think that morning was the second time I saw 
Fitzgerald. 

805. Question — Did you see Fitzgerald and Murtishaw together the 
morning you walked up with Lee Nance? 

Answer— I don't remember; but after we had left Gen. Kinard's room, 
I saw them both in town. I wanted to send a letter to Maybinton, about 
the election, for I had told Gen. Kinard I would see if I could send a 
letter there that day, to Mr. J. P. Glenn. I met Fitzgerald and JMurti- 
shaw both, and asked one of them to take the letter. Fitzgerald said, 
" You take it, Murtishaw, you live close to Glenn's." This was some 
time after breakfast ; probaibly half an hour. 

806. Question — After it was known that Nance was shot, did you see 
those parties ? 

Answer — Never. 

807. Question — How did you become aware of the killing ? 
Answer — There came a black man (James Mitchell) to me as, soon as 

the thing was known, to get a warrant. He made an alHdavit that the 
man that was with Murtishaw shot him, (Nance,) and on that I issued a 
warrant and gave it to the Sheriff; and this was about half an hour af- 
ter Nance was shot, I think. 

808. (Question — Who was with Mitchell at the time; any white man? 
Answer — I don't think there was. 

809. Question — Whom did you deliver the warrant to? 
Answer — The Sheriff. 

810. Question — Did he come to your office ? 

Answer — I think I gave it to him just outside of my office. I gave it 
to him myself, for, after taking the affidavit, I came out of my office. 
The colored man that made the affidavit Avas with me. 

811. Q,uestion — Were you here at the time Associate Justice Hoge 
made a speech ? 

Answer — I was in my office and never left it. 

81 2. Question — Did you see them going to the train ? 
Answer — I saw them. 

813. Question — Was there any unusual demonstration at that time? 
Answer — A large crowd followed Hoge. 

814. Question — Do you know anything about the assault on Murti- 
shaw, by Dogan ? 

Answer — Only what I heard. I was not in town then. I left town 
on Friday and came back on Sunday. 

815. Question — Did you issue the warrant for Dogan's ai'rest ? 
Answer — I did not. 

John Hays, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

81B. Q.uestion — What is your name? 

Answer — John Hays. 

817. Question — Are you a citizen of this County? 

Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 69 



818. Qiiestiou — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — About thirty-three years. 

819. Question — Live in this town? 
Answer — No ; two miles out of town ? 

820. Question — Did you live, at the time of the last election, where you 
live now ? 

Answer — Yes. 

821. Q.uestion — Is the voting precinct near your house? 
Answer — Tlie voting was done here in town. 

822. Question — Did you come into town that day to vote ? 
Answer — I don't think I did. 

823. Q,uestion — Were you home all day ? 

Answer — I think I was ; I have not voted since the surrender. 

824. Question — Did a good many persons pass your house, to come in 
town ? 

Answer — No ; I don't live where persons pass much. I live down a 
road, and from my house I could not see. 

825. Question — Did some men come to your house that day, and leave 
something for you to take care of ? 

Answer — No ; left nothing. 
820. Question — At any other time? 

Answer — Well, some men were there the day Hoge spoke. I found 
three men at my house, when I went to dinner. 

827. Question — Were they armed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

828. Question — Did you ask them where they were going? 

Answer — No ; I didn't want to know their business ; they went home 
from my house, after dinner. I knew them, but not their business. 

829. Question — Were there no others there that day ? 

Answer — There Avere several men there, while I was out picking cot- 
ton. 

830. Question — Were they armed ? 

Answer — They left seven or eight guns in my house. 

831. Question — ^AVhat khid of guns? 

Answer — Common shot guns, and some fourteen shooters. 

832. Question — You said those three men went home ? 
Answer — Yes. 

833. Question — What were their names ? 

Answer — Willie Sligh, Jimmy Law, and Caldwell McMorris. 

834. Question — Didn't you know any of the other men? 

Answer — I didn't see them ; they left their guns, while I was in the 
field. 

835. Question — Is it a general thing for men about here to travel 
around with fourteen shooters ? 

Answer — No ; not a general thing. 

836. Question — You say those three men ate dinner with you, and you 
don't know their business ? 

Answer — Well, they said there was going to be a row among the blacks 
and whites, and they were going to see it. Law's horse was sick, and 
Willie Sligh was sick. 



70 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



837. Question —Well, if they started, did you see tlicm when they re- 
turned? 

Answer — No ; I saw several men going home, but I didn't inquire their 
business. I think there were as many black men Avith guns as Avhites. 
I saw several going up the road from town, but I didn't inquire their bu- 
siness. 

838. Question — Can you name any of the colored men that had guns ? 
Answer — No ; I don't bother my brains about such business. 

889. Question — Do the colored men have meetings in your neighbor- 
hood ? 

Answer — No ; I know nothing of any meetings of blacks or whites. 

840. Question — Do you belong to the Democratic party ? 

Answer — No ; I am not a member of any party ; I have not voted 
since the surrender. 

841. Question — Do you know of any riot or disturbance before or at 
the election ? 

Answer — No. 

Thomas Wadlington, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

842. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Thomas Wadlington. 

843. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

844. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — About forty-eight years. I live eight and a half miles west 

from here. 

845. Question — Do you know of any threats or outrages committed 
before or at the late election ? 

Answer — I know of none, 

(Witness) — I suppose I was summoned, because there "was a meeting of 
Democrats in the County, near my house. I will tell you : I had a store 
at the cross roads, in a public place, and a good many passed there. I 
used to see a good many men pass, and, one evening, asked Harris what 
those men were, and what they were doing. He didn't know. They 
passed during the day, about six or seven together. 

84G. Question— On what particular day ? 

Answer — I don't remember ; some time before the election, 

847. Question — Did any of them stop at your place? 
Answer — Yes. 

848. Question — Did you have any conversation with them ? 
Answer — Yes ; I talked with some of them, but I didn't ask where 

they were going, as I didn't w ant to know their business. 

849. Question — Did rumor state that there were bushwhackers about, 
killing people ? 

Answer — Well, there were some men killed on the road ; I heard 
of it. 

850. Question — What are the names of some of those men who passed 
your house ? 

Answer — I don't recollect who they were. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C, 71 



851. Question — To what party do you belong? 

Answer — I don't belong to any. I joined the Democratic party ; I 
suppose I am a Conservative Democrat; I stuck to them until they said 
we must not employ colored men unless they Avere Democrats, then I left 
them. 

852. Question — You state you joined the Democratic party ? 
Answer — Yes. 

853. Question — You say you stuck to them until a certain time? 
Answer — Well, I didn't attend their meetings after the time that the 

resolution was passed ; it was a deceptive resolution. 

854. Question — What was it ? 

Answer — It was, if the black people supported the Radical party, we 
must not employ them. 

855. Question — You didn't believe in that doctrine ? 

Answer — No, I didn't ; I didn't think it a good policy ; I don't be- 
lieve in idtraism. 

856. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — Yes ; the election was at my house. 

857. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — You say you are a member 
of the Democratic party ? 

Answer — Yes. 

858. Question — Was it not a general determination among the Dem- 
ocratic party not to employ colored men who voted the Radical ticket? 

Answer — I mean so far as those resolutions went. The resolutions 
said if they do so and so we will not employ them. 

859. Question — Did they pass a resolution to that effect ? 
Answer — -Yes ; at one of their meetings. 

860. Question — Do you know any colored man that Avas turned off? 
Answer — No. 

861. Question — Did you ever hear any one say so? 

Answer — I think I heai'd of some turning them off; I don't knoAV if 
that Avas the cause. 

862. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — In your opinion, Avhat did you think 
Avas the cause? 

Answer — I don't knoAV. 

863. Question — Has there or has there not been, to your knowledge, 
more turned off since the election than before ? 

AusAver — I don't knoAV. 

864. Question (by Mr. CrcAvs, Chairman) — What poll Avas the pre- 
cinct at your house ? 

AnsAver — The Basket poll. 

864. Question — At the time of the election, Avas there any disturbance 
at that poll ? 
AnsAver — No. 

866. Question — Were there many Democratic votes cast ? 
AnsAver — I think about 76. 

867. Question — Hoav many Republican votes ? 
Answer — None. 

868. Question — Are there no Republicans living near there ? 
AnsAver — They came there to vote ; left my house. 

869. Question — What Avas the cause ? 



72 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I don't know; it was said they were all registered here. 

870. Question — Where did the Democrats that voted at your poll 
register ? 

Answer — Here and elsewhere, I tliink. 

871. Question — Did you have any books there? 

Answer — I don't think so. They were sworn to see if they were regis- 
tered at all. 

872. Question — Do you know Mr. Chas. Montgomery ? 
Answer — Yes, when I see him. 

873. Question — What is his character ? 

Answer — I don't know anything about his character. I never heard 
anything bad about his character, only that he is a Radical, 

874. Question — Do the people like or hate him ? 
Answer — I don't know, only they don't like his politics. 

875. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Do you know of the Ku Klux 
Klan? 

Answer — I only know about them what I saw in the paj)crs all the 
time. 

876. Question— Were you a IManagcr at the poll at your house? 
Answer — No. 

877. Question — AVhat is the reason that those colored men on your 
place could not vote at that poll ? 

Answer — I don't know, unless they preferred to come here. 

878. Question — Who were the Managers tlicre ? 
Answer — II. U. Kinard, C. H. Sawnly and J. R. McCants. 

879. Question — At the time that resolution came up in the Democratic 
Club not to employ Radicals, did you vote for it ? 

Answer — No, I didn't. 

880. Question— Did it pass ? 
Answer — Yes. 

881. Question (by Mr, Crews, Chairman") — Have you hoard of any 
colored men being whipped, lately, in this County? 

Answer — No, 

882. Question — Do you know ]\Iurtisha^v ? 
Answer — Yes. 

883. Question — What is his character ? 
Answer — I don't know anything in reference to it. 

Lewis Butler, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

884. Q,uestion — What is your name ? 
Answer — Lewis Butler. 

885. (Question — IIow' long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Two years. 

886. Question — Do you know anything a])out tlie difficulties said to 
have occurred }>revious to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — Know nothing, only what I heard. 

887. Question — Did you vote at the election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

888. Question — Was there any difficulty at the polls? 
Answer — No ; all was quiet. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 73 



889. Question — To what political organization do you belong ? 
Answer — I suppose the Democratic party. 

890. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say it was quiet at tlie polls ? 
Answer — Yes. 

891. Question — At what poll did you vote? 
Answer — At the court house. 

892. Question — You say there was no fuss at the polls here? 
Answer — None, while I was voting. 

893. Question — How long were you at the j)olls? 
Answer — No longer than I could vote. 

894. Question — You say you lived here two years? 
Answer — Yes. 

895. Question — -Where did you come from ? 
Answer— From Edgefield ; born and raised there. 

896. Question — Free before the Avar? 
Answer — No ; belonged to Judge Butler. 

897. Question — Do you ever attend church hei'e ? 
Answer — Yes ; at the Baptist. 

898. Question — How often have they service at the Baptist church 
here ? 

Answer — About once a month. 

899. Question — Have you a family ? 
Answer — Yes ; wife and three children. 

900. Question—Children go to school ? 
Answer — Yes ; with jMr. Miller. 

901. Question — You say you know nothing of the shooting of Lee 
Nance ? 

Answer — I know nothing, only hearsay. 

902. Question — Where were you the day he was shot ? 
Answer — I was at my shop. 

903. Question — Did you go to see him that day ? 
Answer — Yes ; I walked down to see him. 

904. Question — Have you ever been in any meeting with him? 
Answer — Yes. 

905. Question — Any political meeting, I mean ? 
Answer — No ; only together making speeches. 

906. Question — Where at ? 

Answer — On the railroad, at the Cotton House ; we had a meeting there, 
also election at the church ; we met at those two places. 

907. Question — You and he, as speakers? 

Answer — Yes ; I was on the Democratic side, and he was on the Re- 
publican side. 

908. Question — Was that the time they had a disturbance, at the Cot- 
ton House ? 

Answer — They had no disturbance at the Cotton House ; there Avere 
only some few remarks made, but nothing to give trouble. 

909. Question — Who made the remarks ? 

Answer — I don't recollect ; they Avere cross questioning each other. 

910. Question — Who Avent in that day, to keep them from coming to 
bloAvs ? 

Answer — It Avas the Democratic party that stopped the fuss. 
10 



74 INVESTIGATING COBIMITTEE, 



911. Question — What Democrats were there? 

Answer — General Garlingtou was there. In my speech, I made a re- 
mark 

912. Question — What was that remark? 

Answer — I said, the war was over, and all things had been settled, 
I thought. It was like a new birth, we were free forever, and we should, 
as a people, live together in harmony and peace. The colored man is 
under obligations to the white man, and the white man to the colored 
man, and one cannot do Avithout the other. Dogan said something, and 
there was a movement, and General Garlington said, " Gentlemen, be 
quiet," and they all quieted down at the word. 

913. Question — Is General Garlington the Democratic party ? You 
said the Democratic party. 

Answer — He is one of the party. 

914. Question — Who else interfered to stop it ? 
Answer — He was the man that stopped it. 

915. Question — About the meeting in the church — what difliculty 
occurred there ? 

Answer — None at all. 

916. Question — What Avas the meeting for ? 
Answer — An election. 

917. Question — An election for Avhat ? 

Answer — I mean, nomination for members of the Legislature? 

918. Question (by Mr. ElliottJ — You Avere formerly a resident of 
Edgefield Court House ? 

AnsAver — Yes. 

919. Question — You stated you Avere not a free man before the Avar ? 
Answer Yes ; I lived Avith Judge Butler. 

920. Question — Were you connected Avith Lee Nance by marriage ? 
Answer — No. 

921. Question— No Avay related ? 
Answer— No, not at all. 

922. Question — Is your Avife here ? 
Answer — Yes. 

923. Question— Is your family all here ? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

924. Question — Ever since you haA'c been here ? 
AnsAver — No ; I came first. 

925. Question — Were you on intimate terms Avith Nance before his 
deatii ? 

Answer — Yes. 

926. Question — You never had any disputes on account of political 
matters ? 

Answer — Not much ; Ave Averc at all times pleasant. 

927. Question — You say you met tAvice on the stump ? 
AnsAver — I have ansAvered that question. 

928. Question — I rencAV it. 
Answer — Yes, Ave did meet. 

929. Question— One time at the church and one time at the Cot Ion 
House ? 

AnsAver — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 75 



930. Question — At the meeting at the Cotton House you made a re- 
mark, which you have stated, and you said Dogan replied ; what was his 
reply ? 

AnsAver — He asked me where I was going, I said : " Hold on, and 
you will see where I am going." That is about all he said. Some one 
present said : " Don't interfere with the gentleman while he is speak- 
ing." That stai'ted a little row, and General Garlington told them to be 
quiet, and they did. 

931. Question — Were those the only words ? 

Answer — Yes. I thought it was wrong for him to say anything to me 
while I was speaking. 

932. Question — After Garlington asked them to be quiet, you say 
they were quiet ? 

Answer — Yes. 

933. Question — Did the Republicans listen to him the same as the 
Democrats ? 

Answer — Yes. 

934. Question — Have you been engaged in any fuss with any colored 
man ? 

Answer — Only Dogan and I. 

935. Question — Since that time, I mean ? 
Answer — Yes. 

936. Question — Did it grow out of the dispute at that meeting? 
Answer — No. 

937. Question — What, then, was the cause of the difficulty ? 
Answer — Only political arguments. 

938. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Did you ever see that circular (The 
Law) ? 

(Circular shown witness.) 

Answer — I don't think I have. I never read papers. 

939. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You belong to the Democratic 
party ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I never attended the meetings ; I only went around 
Avith Judge Pope. 

940. Question — Did you know of a resolution about not employing 
colored people that voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — No. 

941. Question — Were you here when Judge Hoge spoke ? 
Answer — Yes ; but I didn't come out of the house. 

942. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Did you say that you didn't read 
jiapers or look at them ? 

Answer — Yes ; I am no scholar. 

Thomas Stuart, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

943. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Thomas Stuart. 

944. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

945. Question — What part of it? 



76 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — In the edge of this Township, about four miles from the 
village. 

946. Question — How long have you resided in the County ? 
Answer — Was bred and born in it. 

947. Question — Were you in the County during the last political cam- 
paign — at the election time, I mean? 

Answer— Yes ; all the time. 

948. Question — Did you ever attend any of the political meetings ? 
Answer — Yes ; right sharply. 

949. Question — What meetings did you attend ? 

Answer — I came to town when any speeches were to be made. I never 
attended any Democratic speaking, only Republican. 

950. Question — While you Avere at these meetings, were there any 
difficulties or troubles ? 

Answer — Not particularly. 

951. Question — Going to or from them? 
Answer — None that I met up with. 

952. Question — Do you know of any outrages being committed on any 
person in this County, before or during the campaign ? 

Answer — No ; only from rumor. 

9o3. Question — Did you hear it from the parties themselves ? 

Answer — No ; from third persons only. 

954. Question — Do you know of any one being beaten or shot ? 
Answer — No, not myself, that I could be witness to. 

955. Question — Are you related to Johnson Stuart, that was killed ? 
Answer — Yes ; he was my brother. 

956. Question — Were you present at the time he was killed ? 
Answer — No. 

957. Question — Do you know of his having any difficulties or quarrels 
with any one before he was killed ? 

Answer — The day of the Sheriff's election he had a few words about 
some one voting the Democratic ticket, with a man by the name of 
Counts. 

958. Question — What is Counts' first name ? 
Answer — Hartwell Counts. Pie is a white man. 

959. Question — Were there any blows between them ? 
Answer — No ; only a few "words. 

960. Question-*-Did you know of any animosity entertained on account 
of these few words ? 

Answer — None at all. 

961. Question — Have you ever known who murdered him? 
Answer — I was told that Fitzgerald killed him. I don't really know 

who did it. 

962. Question — Were there any efforts made to detect the murderer? 
Answer — None at all, that I heard of. 

963. Question — Was there any one with him when he was killed ? 
Answer — A good many. 

964. Question — None knew who killed him? 
Answer — No ; they said they didn't. 

965. Question — What kind of a man Avas your brother ? 
Answer — He was a quiet, peaceable, sober, upright man. 



THIRD congressional' DISTRICT, S. C. 77 



966. Question — Did you ever hear of any threats being made against 
him before he was killed ? 

Answer — Yes ; I heard of threats. The news was out that he would 
be killed before the election. 

967. Question — Did they ever tell him who made those threats ? 
Answer — No. His friends advised him to be careful, for both of our 

lives were threatened. 

968. Question — Do you know of anything else connected with that 
murder ? 

Answer — Not much, only IMajor Wadlington told me that my brother 
was marked, on the day of the Sheriif 's election, to be killed. 

969. Question — Did you give evidence before the Coroner's jury ? 
Answer — No. 

970. Question — Did you make known to the SheriiF your conversation 
with Major Wadlington? 

Answer — No. 

971. Question — Where does Major Wadlington live ? 

Answer — Eight and a half miles from town, on the Ashford Ferry 
road. 

972. Question — Have you seen Major Wadlington since ? 
Answer— Yes. 

973. Question — Have you had any conversation with him ? 
Answer — Yes, but nothing about that. 

974. Question — Where was he the day your brother was killed ? 
Answer — He was about home ; was not in town. 

975. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say threats were made; did you 
feel afraid you would be killed ? 

Answer — I felt so. 

976. Question— Why ? 

Answer — Because they were killing others. 

977. Question — What class of people were they killing ? 
Answer — The colored people. 

978. Question — Do you know Avhether there was a band of persons 
that went round killing people ? 

Answer — Yes; a company of men, I mean. 

979. Question — Did you ever hear any of their names ? 
Answer — Ku Klux Klan ; four or five men in a band. 

980. Question — Do you know about their having secret meetings 
anywhere ? 

Answer — They would have them in town ; but I know nothing of it. 

981. Question (by INIr. Mclntyre) — ^Wus your brother a speaker ? 
Answer — No. 

982. Question — Have you attended public speaking ? . 
Answer — Yes. 

983. Question — Was any of your party, Avhile speaking, ever intimi- 
dated or threatened ? 

Answer — There Avere threats made that the Democratic politicians 
Avould kill out the Republican leaders that Avould advise the colored peo- 
ple about A'oting. 

984. Question — Were you here Avhen Judge Hoge spoke ? 
Answer — Yes ; that AA'as the day my brother was killed. 



78 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



985. Question — Did you see any company following Judge Hoge to 
the cars ? 

Answer — Yes. 

986. Question — Did you hear them use an}^ threats ? 
Answer — No. 

987. Question — Were they armed ? 

Answer — Yes. I could see their pistols buckled around them under 
their coats. 

987. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Did you go down to the cars ? 
Answer — I went pretty close. 

988. Question — Did your brother say where he was going when lie 
left you ? 

Answer — He said he was going home. 

989. Question — While he was with you that morning, did any one 
make any threats ? 

Answ^er — No. 

990. Question — What were the names of those men you saw armed at 
the cars '/ 

Answer — It was said to be Dick Gist — I know Gist, for one ; Owens 
Turnipseed was along. 

991. Question— AVho else ? 

Answer — Dan Ward. He was on his horse, on the other side of the 
cars, hallooing at Mr. Hoge. 

992. Question— What did he say ? 

Answer — To come out of the white folks' car, and go into the colored 
car — " Come out, hog !" The most of the crowd was on this side of the 
car. 

993. Question — Did you see any pistols drawai ? 
Answer — No. 

994. Question — Didn't you say they had pistols in their hands ? 
AnsAver — No ; not in their hands, but under their coats, ])uckled 

around them. 

995. Question — Do you belong to the League here ? 
Answer — Yes. 

996. Question — AVas your party ever interrupted in their meetings ? 
Answer — No ; not while I was there. 

997. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said you knew of no efibrts hav- 
ing been made to arrest the parties who killed your brother ? 

Answer — Yes ; I don't know. 

998. Question — Did they hold an inquest over his body ? 
Answer — I think so ; but I was not present. 

999. Question — Didn't you come to where your brother was lying 
dead? 

Answer — I w'ent to get a wagon. I went another road, to get away 
from the enemy ; I was afraid they Avould kill me. I came back that 
night with the wagon. They talked of holding an inquest, and sent in 
town, but it looked sIoav, and night was coming on, so I Avcnt to get a 
wagon. I believe they had an inquest, but I don't know. 

1000. Question — Do you believe every effort was made to detect the 
murderers ? 

Answer — I don't know what thev did. The reason was that I didn't 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 79 



think they would do much about it, and I got out of the "way, as I was 
afraid myself. 

1001. Question — Did you say your brother's life had been threatened? 
Answer — I don't know, only from rumor. 

1002. Question — Who was it that told you they had your brother 
spotted ? 

Answer — Major Tom Wadlington told me my brother was marked 
that day of the Sheriff's election. 

1003. Question — Did he say what he meant by being marked? 
Answer — He said he was marked. I said, " What about ? he never 

did anything." He said " Pie stood on the courthouse steps on that day." 
I said, " Well, Mr. Paysinger (Sheriff) told him to stand there to keep 
back the crowd from crowding up." Major AVadlington said, "Yes, but 
he kept back the white people too." I said, "No, he let them in in their 
turn. All went in, and were treated alike." He said, " Well, he should 
not have done that way ; he ought to have let the white people in." 

1004. Question — What did he say he meant by marked ? 
Answer — Picked out to be killed. That is what I thought. 

1005. Question — What did the people say they wanted to kill you 
and your brother for ? 

Answer — Because they said we advised men to vote the Re23ublican 
ticket. 

1006. Question — Did you make speeches, or were you prominent ? 
Answer —No ; we only went about and advised men. 

1007. Question — Did you advise the people to be peaceable and quiet? 
Answer — Yes. 

1008. Question — Did your brother have a pistol the day he was shot ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1009. Question — Did you have one ? 
Answer — No. After that I got one. 

1010. Question — Did you hear Judge Hogc speak that day? 
Answer — Yes. 

1011. Question — Did you hear any violent or incendiary remarks ? 
Answer — No. 

1012. Did you hear the very opprobrious and offensive language in re- 
lation to Irishmen ? 

Answer — No. 

Major Tom AVadlington recalled. 

1013. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Do you or do you not recollect hav- 
ing a conversation with one Thomas Stuart, brother of Johnson Stuart, 
who was killed ? 

Answer — No. I can't recollect. 

_ 1014. Question — Do you not remember saying something to him about 
his brother ? 

Answer — No. What was it ? 

1015. Question — Do you not recollect saying to him that on the day 
of the Sheriff's election his brother was marked ? 

Answer —No ; I don't recollect that. Well, let me see : I was at home, 
and Tom lived with me. Pie married a girl that used to belong to me. 
He was at my house one day, and he and I Avere talking about his brother 



80 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



being killed. I was asking him about Johnson being killed, and how it 
happened, and who did it. I believe he said who he thought did it. I 
said I had heard people say that Jolmson Gloster was on the court house 
steps here that day voting the black people, pushing them up, and not 
letting the Avhite people go up. I told him, when I heard it, that I said 
I believed he was marked from that day to be killed, as he Avas a promi- 
nent man in the election. That is what you may have reference to. 

1016. Question — You said you believed ? 

Answer — I said his playing a prominent part in the election Avas not 
good for him. 

1017. Question — Did they make the observation concerning his being 
at the court house, in an angry mood ? 

Answer — No. 

1018. Question — From Avhat did you druAvyour inference? 
Answer — From his being a prominent character. 

1019. Question — Do you believe that from the state of society at that 
time, that a man, Avho was a prominent character like him, was liable to 
hav%his life in danger ? 

AnsAver — No; if a Avhite man Avas a prominent character, he Avas 
noticed. 

1020. Question — Do you believe that a Avhite man's life, a prominent 
character, would be in danger ? 

Answer — No. 

1021. Question — Then, from Avhat rose your belief? Why did you 
believe that he (Stuart) Avas killed on that account ? 

Answer — I don't know Avhy, but I believe so. 

1022. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What Avas your object in giving 
Tom that information ? 

Answer — Oh, we Avere just talking. 

1023. Question — Had you any object in vicAV in giving that informa- 
tion ? 

AusAver — No. 

102 i. Question — Did you tell him that his brother was marked ? 

Answer — No ; I told him I thought so, from hearing it. Tom ap- 
peared afraid, and I told him if he thought he Avas in danger, he need not 
come to do my Avork. 

1025. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Do you not belieA^e that it Avould 
haA^e been dangerous for you, at that time, to haA^e been as prominent, on 
the same side of politics, as Johnson Stuart ? 

AnsAver — I don't think so. I think if a man behaved himself, there Avas 
no danger. 

1026. Question — What do you mean by that ? 

AnsAver — I think if any fellow, at any election, goes beyond the bounds 
of reason, he Avould get a whipping; all elections are attended Avith such 
things. 

1027. Question — Do you beleve that it Avould have been safe for you 
to have advocated the political principles that Johnson Stuart did before 
the election ? 

AnsAver — I had not heard of his being prominent, except the time on 
the court house steps ; it Avas remarked about, or I Avould not have heard 
of it. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 81 



1028. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Yes, but that is not an answer to my 
question. I will repeat it. (Repeats it. j 

Answer — Yes. 

1029. Question— Then, whence arose your observation that it was on 
account of that prominence he came to his death ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I believe so. 

Matthew Gray, (colored,) sworn. 
Examination by Mr. Bxyant : 

1030. Question — Do you live in Newberry County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1031. Question — How long have you lived in the County? 
Answer — Since 1849. 

1032. Question — Do you know anything about disturbances of the 
peace, occurring before and during the election ? 

Answer — Yes ; some cases. 

1033. Question — State what you know? 

Answer — Before the election, there were bands of armed men, called 
bushwhackers, committing outrages and depredations, and making threats 
Avhat they were going to do on the day of election. I was informed that 
many of the cross roads were blockaded by armed men, and that they 
patroled the lower edge of the County. The night of the day that 
Johnson Stuart was killed, they fired into my house. 

1034. Question — In town? 
Answer — Yes. 

1035. Question — For what? 

Answer — I had been acting leader of the League, and had some little 
influence. 

1036. Question — Do you say you know there were bands going through 
the County? 

Answer — Yes. 

1037. Question — Did you see them ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1038. Question — Where and when ? 

Answer — In the village; ten or twelve armed men, armed with guns, 
going through the streets. They would meet on Saturday nights, and 
ride over the town. 

1039. Question — How do you know that their object was to commit 
depredations? 

Answer — I suppose so. 

1040. Question — Were they white or black men? 
Answer — AVhite men. 

1041. Question — Do you know any of their names ? 
Answer — No. 

1042. Question — Did you see any colored men with guns ? 

Answer — No ; it is not customary, in that way, ten or twelve togetlicr, 
and I never knew of their committing any depredations. 

1043. Question — You said they fired into your house the night Hoo-e 
spoke ? 

Answer— Yes ; fired one shot, but I don't know who it was that did it. 
11 



82 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



It did not hit any one, yet it shot I'ight over the bed, and would have 
killed any one in there. 

1044. Question — What time of night was that? 
Answer — It was about twelve o'clock, at night. 

1045. Question — Did you see or hear any person? 

Answer — No ; they might have thought I would run out, and then 
kill me. 

1046. Question — Do you know anything of the assault of Dogau on 
Murtishaw ? 

Answer — I didn't see it ; only know Avhat I was told. 

1047. Question — Did you hear about Dan AV^ard being shot that 
night ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1048. Question — Who Avas along that night he was shot? 

Answer — I don't know ; I didn't know anything of it until the next 
day. 

1049. Did you hear it rumored the day before that they intended to 
ambush Ward that night? 

Answer — No ; knew nothing of it. I heard the shooting that niglit. 
I Avas at home, and my home is half a mile from there ; it was, I think, 
about midnight. 

1050. Question — How many shots were fired ? 
Answer — I don't know how many. 

1051. Question — Have you since found out who were that party ? 
Answer — No. 

1052. Question — Who did general rumor say they were? 
Answer — A crowd of white men masked nj). 

1053. Question — Did you have a meeting of the Union League that 
day ? 

Answer — No. 

1054. Question — Were you about Lee Nance's store the afternoon of 
the day that AVard was shot ? 

Answer — No. 

1055. Question — How fax do you live from Nance's ? 

Answer — About half a mile. I was down in this part of the town on 
the evening of the difficulty between Dogan and Murtishaw, but lel't the 
lower part of the town about one hour in the night; I had been to ]\Ir. 
Morris' store. 

1056. Question — Did you hear it rumored that there Avas a band of 
colored men going that evening to ambush some parties? 

Answer — No. 

1057. Question — Yon stated that there was a band of bushwhackers 
committing depredations ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1058. Question — Can you mention other cases than what you stated ? 
Answer — No ; only what I heard, 

1059. Question — You only know what you heard ? 

Answer — Yes; but I saw ten or twelve men going through the town. 

1060. Question — How often did you see them ? 
Answer — Once. 

1061. Question — Mention the day you saw them? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 83 



Answer — One Saturday night. 

1062. Question — See them do anything out of the way? 
Answer — No. 

1063. Question — Will you give us the names of some of those men? 
Answer — I don't know that I can do it; I didn't know any of them. 

1064. Question — How were they dressed? Have any uniform? 
Answer — Like other men ; they were not uniformed at all. 

1065. Question — Do you knoAV anything of the killing of Nance ? 
Answer — I met the parties that killed Nance, as I come into town. 

1066. Question — How far from town? 

Answer — About a quarter of a mile from t wn, riding in a gallop. 

1067. Question — How did you know that they were the men that killed 
Nance? 

Answer — I didn't know it at the time I saw them. 

1068. Question — Who were the men? 
Answer — Murtishaw and Fitzgerald. 

1069. Question — What did they say to you as they passed ? 
Answer — Nothing. 

1070. Question — Do you know about the killing of Johnson Stuart? 
Answer — No. 

1071. Question — Were you here the day Associate Justice Hoge 
spoke ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1072. Question — Did you hear the speech ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1073. Question — Was there any riot in town that day? 
Answer — No. 

1074. Question — Did you see persons following Mr. Hoge to the cars? 
Answer — Yes. 

1075. Question — Did they make any assault on him? 
Answer— No ; only words. 

1076. Question — Did they have guns? 
Answer — No. 

1077. Question (by Mr. Elliott)— Did any have pistols ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1078. Question (by JNIr. Bryant) — In their hands? 
Answer — No ; they had them buckled around them. 

1079. Question — Did you hear Mr. Hoge's remark about Irishmen 
that day ? 

Answer — I don't remember what it was. I think it was something a 
little bad, as I don't think it took so well. I don't remember the words. 

1080. Question — Did it appear to be very insulting to Irishmen ? 
Answer— I think so. 

1081. Question — Did you hear him make use of any incendiary lan- 
guage ? 

Answer — No, 

1082. Question — Did he advise the colored people to take up arms 
against the white people ? 

Answer — No ; nor did he tell them which party to vote for. 

1083. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You stated that you met two men 
that you found out afterwards were the parties that killed Lee Nance; do 



84 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



you know whether those men stopped at a certain man's house after passing 
you ? 

Answer — No ; I don't know. 

1084. Question — Did general rumor say tliat they stopped at Mr. W. 
F. Nance's ? 

Answer — Yes ; that was before I saw them. 

1085. Question — Do you know any of the parties who saw Fitzgerakl 
and Murtishaw stop at this house ? 

Answer — No ; I don't remember who told me. It wrs the general ru- 
mor that when they left town they rode to Mr. W. F. Nance's house. 

1086. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You say that a party of men fol- 
lowed Mr. Hoge to the cars, using threatening language ; what language? 

Answer — They said, " Look out, ladies, there is a Hog in the car ; 
take care of your lunches ;" and they cursed him, and went on a good 
deal. 

1087. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Did you know any of the men that 
followed him ? 

Answer — Yes ; Dick Gist was one. 

1088. Question — Any others? 
Answer — Dan Ward went on his horse. 

1089. Question — Any one else ? 

Answer — There was a crowd — ten or fifteen ; I don't know the others. 

1090. Question — Do you know what kind of threats they made ? 
Answer — Only what I told you. 

On motion of Mr. McIntyre, the C-ommittee adjourned, to meet to- 
morrow morning, at 9 o'clock. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 19, 1809. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A. M. 
Mr. Wright in the chair. 
Charles Crowdin, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1091. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Charles Crowdin. 

1092. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1093. Question — Do you live in this town ? 
Answer — No ; I live in Stoney Battery Township. 

1 094. Question — How far is that from the court house ? 
Answer — Ten miles. 

1095. Question — Were you there on election day? 
Answer — Yes ; I was handing out tickets. 

1096. Q,uestion — What kind of tickets? 
Answer — Kepublican tickets. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 85 



1097. Question — Were you forcing any one to take the tickets ? 
Answer — No ; they took them of their own choice ; there Avere Demo- 
cratic tickets on the table too. 

1098. Question — Did you prevent them from taking the other tickets ? 
Answer — No. 

1099. Question — Did everything go on quietly there ? 
Answer — Yes ; except 

1100. Question — Tell us what happened thei'c — were there any persons 
trying to prevent others from voting ? 

Answer — There was a man that come to me and asked me to give him 
some tickets. He first wanted one, then wanted three. He came four 
or five times, and then, at last, he wanted fifteen ; I went to give them 
to him, and he took the whole bundle out of my hand. He said he 
Avould make a bugle horn of my nose before night, and some one else 
should blow it. I left the polls, and reported it to Mr. Greene. 

1101. Question — Who was Mr. Greene? 

Answer — He was the Bureau ofiicer. He sent down and caught him, 
but he got away. 

1102. Question — What was the name of the man that took your 
tickets ? 

Answer — Sim Boozer ; they caught him after that time, and took him 
to Columbia. I went back to the polls the next day and issued tickets. 

1103. Question — Had you any more difiiculty? 

Answer — No ; after that all went on quietly, and there was no other 
disturbance. 

1104. Question — Did the people living near that box generally vote? 
Answer — No ; manv went home and didn't vote. 

1105. Question— Why ? 

Answer — They were afraid of Boozer hurting them. 

1106. Question — I thought you said they took Boozer away? 
Answer — So they did the first day, but he got away that night and 

they were afraid he Avould come back and kill them. He had been out 
in the bushes for a year, sort of on the dodge. 

1107. Question — How do you know he was out in the bushes? 
Answer — I saw him out there. 

1108. Question — Was it the general rumor around there that if any 
colored man voted any except the Democratic ticket he would be driven 
off of the plantation ? 

Answer — Yes ; the man who employed me told me if I didn't do so 
he would not employ me. 

1109. Question — What was his name ? 

Answer — Charles Teague. He said he would hire no Radical on his 
place. 

1110. Question — What ticket did you vote? 

Answer — The Republican ticket ; it was the only ticket I had the in- 
clination to vote. 

1111. Question — Well, did he turn you off for voting? 
Answer — No ; I left myself 

1112. Question — Are there any there now who voted the Republican, 
ticket? 



86 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I don't know. He said he would not employ any Radical 
again, and when my year was out I left. 

1113. Question — Did he pay you for your Avork ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1114. Question — Do you know anything about men murdered before 
the election by bushwhackers ? 

Answer — I heard that several were shot. 

1115. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Did you hear why they were shot? 
Answer — Yes ; but I only heard it. 

1116. Question — What did common rumor say Avas the cause of their 
being shot ? 

Answer — That they wanted to kill the leading Republican men. 

1117. Question — Do you know two men named Murtishaw and 
Fitzgerald ? 

Answer — No ; I never saw them. 

1118. Question — Did you hear of them being in this County ? 
Answer — I don't know if they Avere in this C'ounty or not. 

1119. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — At Avhat poll Avere you issuing 
tickets ? 

Answer — At Frog Level. 

1120. Question — What time Avas it that the tickets Avere taken from 
you? 

AnsAver — At the general election. 

1121. Question — Did you see any one else threatened then? 
Answer — No. 

1122. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Were you a Manager of Election at 
that poll? 

Answer — I Avas passing out tickets only. 

1123. Question — Had you been appointed to receive tickets or assist 
in carrying on the election ? if so, Avho appointed you ? 

AnsAver — The President of the League ; I Avas a ticket distributer 
only. 

1124. Question — Who Avere the Managers of Election at Frog Level? 
Answer — William Davis and William Darby. There Avere only two 

men at that poll. 

1125. Question — What election Avas that? 
AnsAver — The general election. 

112G. Question — At Avhat election Avere those tickets taken from you ? 
Answer — The general election, the time Ave voted for President? 

1127. Question — Was it the time you voted for GoA^ernor Scott ? 
AnsAver — Yes; it Avas the State election. 

1128. Question — Was it not the time you voted to ratify the Consti- 
tution of the State ? 

AnsAver — Yes ; I think it was. I can't remember distinctly. 

1129. Question — You said Sim Boozer had been out in the bushes for 
a year ? 

AusAver — Yes. 

1130. Question — What was he there for? 
AnsAver — I don't knoAV. 

1131. Question — Had Boozer lived in that neighborhood before ? 
AnsAver — No. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 87 



1132. Question — Did he belong to any political party? 
Answer — I don't know. 

1133. Question — Did he seem that day to be assisted by any one in 
taking those tickets from you ? 

Answer — No ; I think not. 

1134. Question — Did any one else trouble you in giving out tickets 
after that ? 

Answer — No. 

1135. Question — Do you know any parties who were kept away by 
him, (Boozer?) 

Answer — Twelve or fifteen told me so ; that is all I know. 

1136. Question — Did you ever hear of Boozer committing other out- 
rages in that community ? 

Answer — Yes ; I heard he shot a colored man. 

1137. Question — Do you know it? 

Answer — Those who saw it told me. I don't know of my own knowl- 
edge. 

1138. Question — You stated that general rumor said the colored peo- 
ple would be driven off, if they voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1139. Question — Do you know of any one Avho was? 
Answer — No. 

11-40. Question — You stated that Mr. Teague would not let you stay 
on his place another year, if you voted the Repulican ticket ; now, do 
you think you would have been injured by his not allowing you to stay ? 

Answer — No. 

1141. Question — Did you have any claim on his place to stay another 
year ? 

Answer — No. 

1142. Question — You stated that general rumor said all the prominent 
Republicans would be killed ? 

Answer — Yes ; men said they wanted to kill all the leading Republi- 
cans. 

1143. Question — Did you hear any one say they would do it? 
Answer — No ; but they said it would be done. 

1144. Question — Do you know whether Sim Boozer voted there? 
Answer — I don't know ; I didn't see him vote. 

John Wilson, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1145. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — John Wilson. 

1146. Question — Are you a resident of this County? If so, state how 
long. 

Answer— I was born and raised in this District. I lived last year at 
George DeWalt's, about eight or nine miles in an eastern direction from 
here. 

1147. Question — Do you know anytliing about armed bands prowling 
about the country preceding or about the time of the general election ? 

• Answer— In December, I think, about fifteen or twenty men came 
there. Myself and my wife were in the house asleep. About 1 or 2 



88 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



o'clock at night, the party hailed the house so that my wife heard it. I 
got up, and then I heard them, and went to the back room to look through 
the window. I spoke and said halloo, and told them who I was, but I 
didn't know who they were. They told me to open the door, and if I 
didn't I had better. So I opened the door, and two men came in and 
went into Mr. DeWalt's room, but never did anything. Mr. DeWalt 
was not there, and they got on their horses and left. 

1148. Question — Were they disguised ? 

Answer — Yes. They were wrapped up in white sheets, and had masked 
faces. 

1149. Question — Were they armed ? 
Answer — I can't say ; I didn't see any arms. 

1150. Question— Where was Mr. DeWalt? 

Answer — He was not there. He left that evening for town, and no 
one was there but my wife and myself. I told them DeWalt was not 
there, and they didn't say anything. 

1151. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Do you know their object in want- 
ing to find ]\Ir. DeWalt ? 

Answer — No. 

1152. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did your wife see those two men? 
Answer — No ; she never got up. She was alarmed. We were both 

alarmed. 

1153. Question — What kind of a man is Mr. DeW^alt ? 
Answer — In principle do you mean ? 

1154. Question — Well, what is his character? 

Answer — I don't know much about his character. He was a laAvyer 
here. 

1155. Question — To what party does he belong? 
Answer — I don't know ; I never asked him. 

1156. Question — Didn't you recognize any of the party? 
Answer — No. 

1157. Question — Did you find out afterwards who they Avere ? 
Answer — No ; never. 

1158. Question — What do you think was their purpose in traveling 
about in that style ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

1159. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — No ; I Avas sick in bed. 

1160. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that those persons who 
came there Avere disguised ? 

Answer — Yes. Wrapped in white sheets, and had on false faces. 

1161. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, what do 
you suppose they Avere going about that Avay for? 

Answer — I don't knoAV. 

1162. Question — Have you formed any opinion? 
AnsAver — No. They didn't tell me Avhat they Avanted. 

1163. Question —Have you heard from general rumor that there Avere 
bands of persons going around to intimidate persons from A^oting, by 
some name as an organization — have you heard such rumors around 
your country among the colored people? 

Answer — I don't remember. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 



1164. Question — Was there much excitement about election time, to 
the best of your knowledge and information ? 

Answer — I don't know, for I had nothing to do with the el(3ction. 

Sallie Lesesne, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

11G5. Question — Do you live in this County? 

Answer — Yes. 

116G. Question — How long have you lived here? 

Answer — I was born and bred here. 

1167. Question — How far from the court house do you live? 
Answer — I think two and a half miles from here. 

1168. Question — Were you in town the day Judge Hoge made a 
speech here ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1169. Question — Did you hear that speech? 
Answer — Yes. 

1170. Question — Did you know a man named Johnson 8tuart? 
Answer — Yes. 

1171. Question — What relation was he to you? 
Answer — He was my son. 

1172. Question — Did you and your son leave the meeting together ? 
Answer — He went before me, but I was not far behind him, going out 

home. 

1173. Question — Did both of you get home together ? 
Answer — No. 

1174. Question — Why didn't he get home with you? 

Answer — He was shot while he was on the road just ahead of me, in 
sight. 

1175. Question — How did he come to be shot? 
Answer — I can't tell. 

1176. Question — Who shot him? 

Answer — I can't tell who it was; I saw two white men when lie was 
shot. 

1177. Question — Please state how it commenced, and all you know 
about it ? 

Answer — I saw the man when he raised his hand and shot twice. JMy 
daughter-in-lav/, my son Cornelius and I were in a little wagon, and I 
was sitting in the back part of it. He was going on ahead. After he 
was shot, we then got near enough to see him, and I was near enough to 
hear him say : " Oh, Lord ! I am a dead man — I am shot through the 
bowels." He came and got hold of the little wagon, and dropped dead, 
and didn't speak any more. 

1178. Question — What did the two white men do? 
Answer — They galloped right away, after that. 

1179. Question — Did or did not general rumor say who those men 
Avere that shot him ? 

Answer — I never knew who it was that committed the murder. 

1180. Question — Did you go to Magistrate Kinard? 

Answer — After that, I sent my son Cornelius, for it was thought at 

12 



90 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



first a doctor could help my son that was shot. I didn't go myself, but 
my son told me to come to the Magistrate's. 

1181. Question — How long did your son live after being shot? 
Answer — It was only a few minutes before he died. 

1182. Question — Did a doctor come there to see your son? 
Answer — I don't know. 

1183. Question — What time of day was that? 

Answer — The sun was about two and a half hours high. I saw my 
son going on, but I didn't notice any one close to him. My daughter-in- 
law was in the little wagon with me, and my son Cornelius was driving; 
she said : " Some one is going to shoot John ;" and we got there before 
he fell. 

1184. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — When you saw those two men, 
did they both shoot ? 

Answer — No, only one ; he shot two shots. 

1185. Question — Could you see from where they had come? 
Answer — They were on the side of the road ; they were on the pave- 
ment within the incorporation. 

1186. Question — Did you notice their dress? 

Answer — No ; I could not see their features good, but they appeared 
to be white men. 

1187. Question — Did you notice their horses? 
Answer — I noticed one. 

1188. Question— What color was it? 

Answer — It was a clay-bank or milk and cider color. 

1189. Question — AVhat is milk and cider color? do you mean yellow? 
Answer — AVell, yes, a yellow horse, Avith a dark mane and tail. 

1190. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Before your son was shot, did you 
know of any threats made against his life? 

Answer — He told me a few weeks before that his life was threatened. 
He said : " Mother, I have not done anything to any person." 

1191. Question — Did you hear it from others? 
Answer — No ; only from him. 

1192. Question — Did he tell you why he thought his life was threat- 
ened? 

Answer — No, he didn't say, for he had never disturbed any one. 

1193. Question — Did he tell you who it was that threatened him ? 
Answer — No. He said : " Mother, I will tell you more, for I will 

hear more." He said this a few days before this speech. 

1194. Question — Was he a married man? 

Answer — Yes ; he had a Avife and child. He never told me any more 
before his death, as he had no opportunity. 

1195. Question — Were you present at the inquest over his body? 
Answer — I was there when they came together, but I didn't know what 

they were doing. 

119G. Question — Did you give evidence before the Coroner? 

Answer — Yes ; they called me up to the court house to give in Avhat I 
knew, and I did so. 

1197. Question — Do you know of any attempts to find out the mur- 
derers ? Avliether the Coroner or Sheriff' did try ? 

Answer — Yes, I have heard that they did inquire. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 91 



1198. Question — Did you see the road the men took after they killed 
him? 

Answer — Yes ; they went down the valley ? 

1199. Question — Did you state that to the Coroner that evening? 
Answer — Yes. 

1200. Question — Do you know whether they sent after the murderers ? 
Answer — I don't know ; I heard they talked of it. A gentleman came 

to my house afterwards ; he was a stranger; he didn't ask me much, but 
he spoke to my son Cornelius, but he could not tell him much about it. 

1201. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did your son have a pistol in his 
handgwhen he was shot ? 

Answer — No ; he had one around him when he was shot, but he did 
not draw it. My daughter-in-law, after he fell, took it off of him, but 
left the belt around him. There was another colored man with him when 
he was shot. 

1202. -Question (by Mr. Elliott)— What was his name? 

Answer — His name was Wesley. The man he lived with was named 
Dr. James Renwick. He was generally called Wesley Reuwick. 

1203. Question— Do you know where he lives now ? 

Answer — No. He can be found ; I think he told me he was going to 
leave the 1st of March, and work eight miles from Newberry. I tliink 
he is in the district now. C. Lesesne and his sister, who live in Columbia, 
can give you information. 

George F. DeWalt, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Br3'ant : 

1204. Question — Ai^e you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1205. Question — How long have you resided in the County? 
Answer — Born in the County. 

1206. Question — In what portion of the County do you reside? 
Answer — I resided at this place, (Newberry,) and practiced law prior 

to the war, and during the war moved down to my place, about ten or 
twelve miles from town. 

1207. Question — In Avhat direction from the court house is it? 
Answer — South-east. 

1208. Question — At what box do you vote? 

Answer — I voted here at the last election. I registered and voted 
here. 

1209. Question — If you know of any disturbances or outrages that oc- 
curred at or preceding the late general election, just please state? 

Answer — 1 don't know of any disturbance, of my own knowledge. I 
voted like others. I never intimidated any one, and don't know any one 
that did. I expressed my feeling about the election, and I was not in- 
timidated. 

1210. Question — Did you belong to any political organization? 
Answer — I voted the Democratic ticket. I Avas a Union man during 

the war ; I was an anti-secessionist. 

1211. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Were you summoned before the 
Grand Jury ? 



92 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes, for disturbances that occurred on my place subsequent 
to the election ; they occurred on the 15th and 28th of January last. 

1212. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that you did not know 
of any outrages, of your knowledge ; now, do you know of any from gen- 
eral rumor ? 

Answer — All I can say is that while the election Avas passing, I heard 
there Avere some down at Frog Level, but Avhether true or false, I don't 
know. I speak from w^hat I heard on the street as a rumor. 

1213. Question — You say that you were not intimidated; do you know 
of any other persons that were ? 

Answer — I don't know. Do you mean at the polls? 

1214. (Mr. Wkight)— Well, yes. 
Answer — I don't know. 

1215. Question — We want to know if there has been any organization 
or means used for the purpose ; now, the question is, whether there have 
been any outrages committed, of which you know, prior to or at the gen- 
eral election ? 

Answer — I don't know of any. 

1216. Question — Do you know of any threats made by any organiza- 
tion against another or against individuals ? 

Answer — I don't know of any myself, nor from rumor ; but, do you 
mean about employing laborers, &c. ? 

1217. (Mr. Wkigiit)— Yes. 

Answer — Yes ; I saw a little circular, but whether before or after the 
election, I am not certain. I brought the one I had to Mr. Corwin, Rev- 
enue Assessor. It was about employing Radicals. 

1218. Question — What was the caption of it ? 
Answer — I don't remember. 

1219. Question (by Mr. Smalls)— Did Mr. Corwin know about it ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

1220. Question — Do you know if that circular expressed the sentiments 
of the people of the town ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I don't think so ; it had no signature to it. 

1221. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Do you know whether any of the 
suggestions contained in that circular, in regard to employing persons 
who voted a certain way, were carried out ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

1222. Question — Was that circular published ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1223. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, what was 
the intention of the parties that published it ? 

Answer — I don't think it had any effect at all. I don't know that the 
intention of the people should be judged liy the paper itself 

(Circular shown Avitness) — This is like the one I saAV. I Avill answer 
your question by saying, I think about that paper that the man Avas about 
three parts drunk Avhen he Avrote it, and it may have been the etiect of a 
drunken spree, rather than good sense. 

1 224. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Vie are Avaiting for an ansAver to the 
(piestion ? 

AnsAver — This is Avhat I think, the words " Dogan radicals, you sh.-ill 
not be employed" are Avords of intimidation, if there are Avords in the 



THIKD CONC4RESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 93 



English language that mean anything. I think the purport of this pa- 
per ("Law") are words of intimidation. 

1225. Question (by Mr, Mclntyre) — Do you know anything of an or- 
ganized band stopping at your house prior to or about the time of the 
general election ? 

Answer — None, that I know of. 

1226. Question (by Mr. Elliott)— Ever heard of any? 

Answer — No. The truth is, the whole thing is quieted down, if it is 
not again revived. 

Charlie Rikard, (colored,) sworn- 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1227. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Charlie Rikard. 

1228. Question — Do you live in this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1229. Question — In what part of the County do you live? 
Answer — I live at Mr. DeAValt's. 

1230. Question — Were you living with him at the time of the last 
election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1231. Question — Do you know of any riot or intimidations used to 
keep colored people from voting ? 

Answer — No one hindered me from voting. At the day of election, a 
young man named Adam Rikard said, " I suppose you voted the 
Radical ticket. I had counted on hiring you, but no damned Radical 
can come on mine or my father's place." I said, " You don't know what 
you will do." He said, " I know that much." Then he said, " Black 
folks have been going about teaching you to vote the Radical ticket, and, 
by God, there will be more bushwhacking done before March 1st than 
was ever done before." 

1232. Question — Were you turned off for voting? 

Answer — No ; they didn't turn me off. I am still working with the 
same man. 

1233. Question — When was it he told you about voting, and not al- 
lowing Radicals to stay on his place ? 

Answer — Pie told me that after I had voted, on the same day, after I 
got home. I'll tell you the names of the bushwhackers ; they are : 
Adam Rikard, Sam Barre and Theodore Kibler. They came to my 
house, and broke open my door, and asked me for arms. I told them I 
had none. They would not l)elieve me, and looked around for guns af- 
ter I got alight; and they threatened, if I did't leave there in ten days, 
I would go up. They broke open the doors of all the colored people's 
houses on the plantation, and did likewise. They took my hunting horn, 
and that is all they did to me. 

1234. Question — Who was it that took your hunting horn ? 
Answer — Adam Rikard. 

1235. Question — Was anything done to you before that time ? 
Answer — No. 

1236. Question — Were they disguised ? 

Answer — Yes. They had on white sheets and false faces. 



94 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1237. Question (by Mr, Mclutyre) — How many were in that party 
that night ? 

Answer — I don't remember. Six came into my house. Two had on 
sheets; one had on a cap with a red tassel. 

Lewis D'Oyley, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1238. Question — Do you live in this County? 
Answer — Yes ; at Mr. DeWalt's. 

1239. Question — How far is it from the courthouse? 
Answer — It is ten miles from the court house. 

1240. Question — Did you or did you not hear of any persons in the 
County threatening the colored people in regard to voting before the 
election ? 

Answer — I heard some men say they would not have a Radical on 
tlicir place, if they voted the Radical ticket. 

1241. Question — Do you know the names of any of the parties who 
said this ? 

Answer — No. I heard it Avhile men were passing. 

1242. Question — Was it the general rumor or talk that any man Avho 
voted the Radical ticket could not stay on their places ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1243. Question — Have you heard any one say this that you know 
the names of? 

Answer — No. I don't know their names. 

1244. Question — Do you know anything about any outrages, or of the 
Ku Klux? 

Answer — Yes. I know about those men coming and breaking into my 
house. 

1245. Question — Do you know anything else that happened before the 
election ? 

Answer — Nothing that I knoAV of 

1246. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Did you ever hear about killing or 
shooting, before the election ? 

Answer — No ; I didn't live at DeWalt's before the election. I came 
there since Christmas. 

1247. Question — Did you hear of any where you lived before ? 
Answer — No. 

1248. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you say that general rumor 
said that any one who voted the Republican ticket would not be em- 
ployed the next year ? 

Answer — Yes ; I said so. 

On motion of Mr. Bkyant, the Committee adjourned, to meet to-mor- 
row, at 9 A. M. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 95 



EOOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 20, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournmeut, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
Mr. "Wright in the chair, 

E,. C. Swindler, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

1247. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — R. C. Swindler. 

1248. Question — Are you^ a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes ; born and raised here. 

1249. Question — What part of the County do you reside in? 
Answer — In a north-east direction, 12 miles from here. 

1250. Question — How far from the court house ? 
Answer — Twelve miles the nearest way ; 14 on wheels. 

1251. Question — Do you know anything concerning the state of affairs 
in this County prior to or at the late general election ? 

Answer — I don't know anything of importance. 

1252. Question — Do you know of any disturbances that occurred ? 
Answer — None at all; everything was quiet and orderly in my section, 

1253. Question — Do you know of any organization said to exist at 
that time '( 

Answer — Yes ; the Democratic party. 

1254. Question — Any other organization ? 

Answer — I don't know if there was. I was confined to my house for 
seven weeks, sick. I did hear of a certain organization, but it was only 
hearsay. 

1255. Question — Do you know of any outrages that were committed 
during that time, in any part of the County ? 

Answer — Well, I did hear of some ; I heard of Glasgow (Stuart) and 
Nance being killed ; they were outrages, of course. 

1256. Question — Did you learn anything concerning the cause of 
these outrages ? 

Answer — Nothing positive. 

1257. Question — You mentioned an organization of whose existence 
you knew something ? 

Answer — Yes ; the Democratic party. 

1258. Question — Do you know anything Concerning the rules of that 
organization ? 

Answer — I can't say I do. I don't know of any particular rule. I 
can't specify any particular rule, further than they are to be united, &c. 

1259. Question — Was there not a determination among the members, 
of that organization not to employ, as laborers, persons who voted a 
ticket in opposition to that party ticket ? 

Answer — I don't know that. I understood there were by-laws to that 
effect, but I was not there when they passed. 



96 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1260. Question — Then you heard that as a general rumor ? 
Answer — Yes ; as a general rumor. 

1261. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you know of a circular printed 
and circulated in the County called " The Law ?" 

Answer — I believe, after the election, in passing Kinard's, out here, 
such a thing was handed to me. I looked at it and said, " It is not worth 
anything at all." 

1262. Question — Are you sure that was after the election? 

Answer — It strikes me it was. I think it was near Christmas. I did 
not read it over. 

1263. Question — If you saw one, would you know it ? 
Answer — I think so. 

1264. Question — Do you think that circular was in accordance with 
the by-laws of the Club ? 

Answer — I don't know the by-laws of the Club. I think the circular 
was, "not to employ them." 

1265. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Whom do you mean ? 
Answer — The laborers we had been employing. 

1266. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you think tliat (exhibiting cir- 
cular) was copied from some of the by-laws of the Club ? 

Answer — Yes. I think that is the thing I saw. I said it w^ould 
amount to nothing, and threw it down. I never read enough of it to 
see what it was. 

1267. Question — Was it to make the members stand to it after the 
election was over ? 

Answer — I don't know whether it was printed before or after the elec- 
tion. 

1268. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did you come to town the day As- 
sociate Justice Hoge made a speech ? 

Answer — No ; I did not. 

1269. Question — Did you know of his making a speech here? 
Answer — I heard of it that afternoon. 

1270. Question — Where were you when you heard of it ? 

Answer — I think I was talking to Dr. Wash Glenn, seven or eight 
miles below here, the same day the speech was made. 

1271. Question — About what time in the afternoon ? 
Answer — Perhaps 4 o'clock. 

1272. Question — At the time you were in conversation with him, was 
anything said in relation to it ? 

Answer — I was talking Avith him, and a parcel of men came up and 
spoke about it. 

1273. Question — Were those persons riding or walking? 
Answer — Riding. They had been up here. 

1274. Question — Were they armed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1275. Question — How many of them Avere there? 
. Answer — Three or four, or more. 

1276. Question — Were there or were there not any threats made by 
them in relation to Hoge? 

Answer — No ; not in relation to him. Word Avas sent to me the night 
before, that the colored people were coming here that day armed, but I 



THIED CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 97 



was not told that any one was going to make a speech. I came that 
morning with a portion of armed men, and met a good many on the 
road. When we got to INIr. Rikard's, two miles from here, at the forks 
of the road, I stopped and got Mr. James Law to come in and see if 
there was anything going to take 2:)lace. I remained there to j^revent them 
from coming in. I had not heard that any one would make a speech then. 
I requested the whole party to go back to Mr. Rikard's, and wait until 
Mr. Law came back. Before he came back, I saw six or eight colored 
men, with guns, coming in this direction, may be eight or nine of them. 
Mr. Law came back, and said there had been a man making a speech 
there, but everything was quiet and orderly. That was the report he 
brought back. Then several of the crowd went down to Hayes', left 
their guns and got dinner. They then came into this place unarmed. I 
came no further than that myself, for I believed that Mr. Law was telling 
the facts in every particular. (I first said that I was talking to Mr. 
Glenn, and that he spoke about the man making a speech, I correct it.) 

1277. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say you came with a portion of 
armed men ; how far ? 

Answer — To Avithin four miles of town Avitli some. 

1278. Question — How many were there you came with about four 
miles ? 

Answer — I saw them there, and they said they were waiting for another 
crowd. 

1279. Question — When you got to another place, you met four there ? 
Answer — Yes ; they said they were waiting for more ? 

1280. Question — Where was that ; at the forks of the road ? 
Answer — Yes ; out here two miles, at Mr. Rikard's. 

1281. Question — Where did those men go, that banded themselves to- 
gether, when you stopped ? 

Answer — I had them ride back to Mr. Rikard's. 

1282. Question — You say they stacked their arms there ? 
Answer — May be three or four did, and then came in the village. 

1 283. Question — How do you know ? 
Answer — I was there ; took dinner there. 

1284. Question — The men, I mean, that you sent back ? 

Answer — Oh, they stayed there until Mr. Law came back. I don't 
know whether they came in unarmed. 

1285. Question — Were you armed ? 

Answer — Yes ; I had my gun, but I came along more to keep them in 
check. 

1286. Question — Was not that the day that Johnson Stuart was 
killed ? 

Answer — Yes; he was killed just this side of the College. It was on 
the same road these armed men were coming. 

1287. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Were you acquainted with a man, in 
the County, named Fitzgerald ? 

Answer — I never saw him. 

1 288. Question — Did you know Murtishaw ? 

Answer — Yes ; I saAv him the day he went to the army. 

1289. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, were Mur- 
tishaw and Fitzgerald amono; those armed men ? 



98 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I have been told so, but I didn't know them ; there was a 
heap of men I didn't know. I was told a good many came the other 
road. 

1290. Question — Did not general rumor say that Murtishaw and Fitz- 
gerald were the men that killed Johnson Stuart ? 

Answer — The rumor was that it was Fitzgerald, not Murtishaw. 

1291. Question — But notwithstanding, no attempt was made to arrest 
Fitzgerald, to prove the fact ? 

AnsAver — I understood efforts were made, but men who were acquainted 
Avith him said they would not go near him. After Lee Nance was killed, 
rumor was rife that he killed Johnson Stuart too. 

1292. Question — Did you know Johnson Stuart ? 
Answer — Yes ; from a little boy ; and I esteemed him. 

1293. Question — Was he a quiet citizen? 
Answer — He was a quiet and law-abiding citizen. 

1294. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You camcto town ; did the men 
you left out about a mile from town come in also ? 

Answer — I didn't come to toAvn. I got Mr. Law to ride in and see if 
that rumor was true, that the colored people were coming in armed ? 

1295. Question — Was there a person vvith you that rode a yellow and 
Avhite horse with dark mane ? 

Answer — He was a cream colored horse. 

1296. Question — A milk and cider color some call it ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1297. Question — What was the name of tlie person riding it ? 
Answer — Daniel Epps. 

1298. Question — Who Avas that other person Avith Epps ? 
AnsAA'er — I don't knoAV ; there Avas a big croAvd. 

1299. Question — What time of day Avas it that Law came in ? 
AnsAver — About 10 o'clock. 

William Carter, (colored,) SAVorn. 
Examination by Mr. INlcIntyre : 

1300. Question — What is your name? 
AnsAA'er — William Carter. 

1301. Question — Are you a resident of this County; if so, state hoAv 
long ? 

AnsAver — I A\^as born and raised in this County. 

1302. Question — Do you live in this village ? 
AusAver — No ; about eight miles, near Dutch Fork. 

1303. Question — Who do you Avork for? 
AnsAA'er — David Roof. 

1304. Question — Do you knoAV of any armed bands going about the 
country, before the election, that general rumor said Avas the Ku Klux? 

AnsAver — Yes; they are all around our section. 

1305. Question — Do they come about in the day ? 
AnsAver — No ; in the night, and not in the day. 

1306. Question — Ever disturb you ? 

AnsAver — They never come to my house ; they come to my mother's 
house. I heard them from my house, hurrahing and shooting. 
1307.jjQuestion — Did you see any one ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 99 



Answer — Only one night, when we had a party out to Luther Hall's. 
We were corning from there, and were walking along the road, talking 
and laughing. We had pistols, and were sliootiug them off. We stopped, 
when we heard horses coming, and jumped over the fence. 

1308. Question — How many were there? 
Answer — About twenty -five. 

1309. Question — Disguised in anyway? 

Answer — No ; they said, " Take to the woods, you Radicals." 

1310. Question — Did you do it ? 
Answer — We did take to the woods. 

1311. Question — Could you see them ? were they armed ? 

Answer — No; it was a dark night, little starlight ; I could not see if 
they were armed or not, and I don't know who they were. They shot at 
us. I was drunk, but I had sense enough to lay down behind the fence, 
if I was drunk. 

1312. Question — Did they follow you ? 

Answer — No ; they whistled as though for us to come out to them. 
Well, we went on towards home, and when we got to DeWalt's, we laid 
over in the field, and heard them hailing the house. 

1313. Question — AVere you there ? 
Answer — No ; I saw them from the old field. 

1314. Question — How many did you see? 
Answer — About twenty. 

1315. Question — What did you see them do ? 

Answer — There was a plank on Dan's house, and a piece was off; they 
peeped in the crack, but didn't shoot. They went up to the house and 
called, but no one answered ; then they went away, shooting as they went. 
That was the time we had the party at Luther Hall's. 

1316. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did you vote at the last election? 
Answer — Yes ; at all the elections. 

1317. Question — At what poll ? 
Answer — In Newberry. 

1318. Question — Were you ever threatened that if you didn't vote the 
Democratic ticket, you Avould not be employed ? 

Answer — Yes ; Captain vSligh said if I voted for the North, I should go 
Avith the North. I told him I would 1>e glad to do it. He said, " You shan't 
stay on my place, if you do." I told him 1 Avouid. At potato hauling 
time he said, "Where are you going to get a home?" I told him J 
was not going to get a home, that I would leave my Avife here, and go 
scouting around and make a living. 

1319. Question — After you voted, did he turn you off? 

Answer — Yes ; he said, " You voted to cut my throat," and he then 
turned me ofl'; he turned three others off for the same. We started on 
election morning, at 3 o'clock, as they said they were going to waylay us. 

1320. Question — Who said so? was it the general rumor ? 

Answer — Yes ; Ave Avere afraid then. We killed a beef the cA^ening be- 
fore, and uncle George and uncle Adam and xmcle Dan said they Avere 
going. We started, and got here about sun-up. The old man met us 
going back, and said, "Did you vote?" I said, "I had two tickets, one 
in each hand, aud put one in each box." He ncA'cr bothered me any 
more, only to tell me to hunt a home. 



100 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1321. Question — Did he pay you for your services? 
Answei' — Yes. 

1322. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said that the Ku Klux was all 
around your country ; how do you know ? 

Answer — I heard the white people say so. 

1323. Question — How were they dressed? 
Answer — All in white, with big gowns on. 

1324. Question — Did they ever kill anybody? 

Answer — Not that I know of; they scared us most to death. 

1325. Question — Did they make any more noise that night than your 
party ? 

Answer — No ; I was very much scared. I was drunk, and was scared 
sober. 

1326. Question — Didn't they have a right to think your party Avas the 
Ku Klux ? 

Answer — I don't suppose they had. 

1327. Q.uestion — You said that Mr. Sligh turned you oft', because you 
voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1328. Question — How long after you voted? 

Answer — Christmas time ; I Avould not go off", I said, until my time 
was up. 

1329. Question — He wouldn't hire you again ? 
Answer — No. 

1330. Question — You knew you had no right to stay on his place ? 
Answer — I don't know that I had. 

1331. Question — You said he turned oft' three other men with you; 
was their time out ? 

Answer — Yes ; their time was out. 

1332. Question— Whose beef did you kill the night before election? 
Answei" — Sligh's beef. 

1333. Question — You said general rumor said you would be waylaid 
on election day ; were you ? 

Answer— No. 

1334. Question — Did any one attemjit to prevent you from voting ? 
Answer^ — No. 

1335. Question — Did any one interfere with you at all ? 

Answer — Well, as I was going back. Tap Counts said, "Did you vote?" 
I said, " No ; I didn't vote," (but I did, but I was sensible enough not to 
tell him.) He said, " That is right ; don't you vote for those old Yankees ; 
they want oftice, and when they get that, they don't care for you." 

W. P. Harris, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 
133G. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — W. P. Harris. 

1337. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1338. Question — How long have you resided here ? 
Answer — About 44 years. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 101 



1339. Question — Do you know anything of the state of affairs in this 
County prior to and at the late general election ? if so, state it. 

Answer — In the first place, there have been four persons killed here in 
town, within the incorporation. 

1340. Question — Do you know the names of the parties that were 
killed? 

Answer — Yes ; one was Jack Roberts ; another, Amos Baxter ; another, 
Johnson Glasgow, (Stuart), and Lee Nance. 

1341. Question — Do you know of any citizens connected with those 
murders ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I was not here at the time the murders were 
committed. I met the murderers the morning that Lee Nance was 
killed, about six miles below here ; I mean, the two men said to be the 
murderers. 

1342. Question — What are the names of the two men ? 

Answer — Fitzgerald and Murtishaw. I met two others following them, 
inquiring how far they were ahead. 

1343. Question — Who were the two yon met? 
Answer — R. V. Gist and James Caldwell. 

1344. Question — Were they in pursuit of the murderers to catch 
them? 

Answer — I suppose they were of the same party ; I knew they didn't 
want to catch them. 

1345. Question — Did they catch up with them ? 

Answer — Gist told me so himself; also, that he carried them to Dr. 
Haddin's still-house and treated them. I want to tell what I know 
about R. V. Gist. On Sunday evening before this murder (Lee Nance) 
I was at home, seven miles from here. Gist passed my house half an 
hour by the sun ; the sun was not more than half an hour high ; the sun 
was near down, I think. He (Gist) lives two miles from my house ; he 
was going towards home. The next morning (Monday) I met them 
(Gist and Caldwell) four miles from here, following those men that did 
the murder. I came on, and when within two miles I met the Sheriff 
and garrison following those men that did the murder. They pressed me 
in to go along to assist them. We followed them to Dr. Turnipseed's, 
ten miles, and there we lost the trail of them. We met Caldwell at 
Gist's house, coming back after he had caught up with those men. Gist 
said so, after we arrested him. We hunted a good deal that day, but 
could not get the trail, so we arrested Gist, and brought him to town. 
We arrested Caldwell, too, and brought them both in town, and, next 
day, turned them over to INIr. Hubbard, Chief Constable. When we 
got here with the prisoners that night, I saw a thousand things that made 
me think that they would try to play sharp. There were Sim Boozer, 
Blease, Fitz Caldwell, and a good many others that came to the jail. 
Such a crowd came that Lieutenant Fletcher and I went to camj) to get 
a guard to protect the jail. They drew their pistols on the Sheriff. Wo 
guarded the jail that night, and next morning we carried both of them 
to Columbia — that is, Mr. Hubl)ard did, and I went along. 

1346. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you know anything else in rela- 
tion to outrages committed ? 



102 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — During the election they swore they would kill every Re- 
publican that voted. 

1347. Question — Was that the general talk? 
Answer — Yes. 

1348. Question — Do you know any of the parties Avho said they would 
kill Republicans ? 

Answer — I think I do. 

1349. Question — Please state names ? 

Answer — Fitz CaldAvell is one. Why, Gist only gave me thirty days 
to live. 

1350. Question — When was that said ? 

Answer — That was before the election ; I was acting Constable then. 

1351. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Do you know any others? 
Answer — I will tell you the leading men of them here. B. M. Blease, 

Silas Johnson, Chris. Suber, Dan Ward, and otliers I can't think of just 
now, and hundreds in the country. At one time they shot through our 
Constable's tent ; it was dark, and we could not catch them. They came 
to my house and told my wife that tliey were going to have my head. 

1352. Question — Did your wife know the men? 

Answer — No. These men I spoke of do the planning and get other 
men to do their dirty work, such as Fitzgerald and MurtishaAV. AVhy, 
Fitzgerald didn't know a man he killed ; he Avas only doing their dirty 
work. I Avill tell you another thing : On the day of the big Demo- 
cratic Mass Meeting, I was in the court house, and Murtishaw, Fitzger- 
ald, and another one I didn't knoAV, came up to me and asked me if 1 
had found out a secret meeting place in the County. 

1353. Question — Did you know Fitzgerald tlien? 

AnsAver — I had never seen Fitzgerald before in my life. Well, he 
said, '• Young man, you are going up." I said, " I guess I Avill be there, 
at the going up," In about fifteen minutes afterwards, I saw Dick Gist, 
and asked him Avhat he sent one of his men to me for. He Avent off, and~ 
Fitzgerald and Gist came to me, and called me out, and said he Avas go- 
ing to kill me, because I had accepted a damned Radical office. Gist did 
not say this, but 

1354. Question (by Mr. Bryant)— Who said it? 

Answer — It Avas Fitzgerald. I said, "If you Avant to kill me, kill 
aAvay," but he didn't do it. He went off. I then Aventand got my pistol, 
as I only had a pocket knife. They laid for me that night, six miles from 
here, but I didn't go that road that night. 

1355. Question — Hoav do you knoAV they laid there ? 
Answer — A man told me so, that saAV them there. 

1356. Question — Do you knoAV the name of the man that told you ? 
Answer — Yes ; Fayette Clamp told Rumley, and he told me. I didn't 

go out for several nights. 

1357. Question (by Mr, Elliott) — When Fitzgerald came to you, inthe 
court house, and asked you if you had discovered a secret organization, 
Avhat did he mean ? 

AnsAver— He meant the Ku Klux Klan, I took it to be, I understood 
Gist Avas Captain here of that organization, and that one company Avas on 
my road, and the Molly Horn company on the College road. They met 
two miles beloAv- my house. Major Wadlington called my attention to it. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 103 



and asked me what it meant. I jiassed that day, and saw those men, and 
Wadlington told me they had had a meeting there, and asked me the na- 
ture of it. I never have found out what it was. They have met, and I 
I know some of the members of it, but I don't know what they did. I 
got a Ku Klux letter after that. 

1358. Question (by JNIr. IMcIntyre) — Have you that letter with you? 
Answer — I think I have. (Witness here examined his pockets.) No ; 

I havn't it with me ; I will bring it. 

1359. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say you got one ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1360. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Do you know of any outrages com- 
mitted by this organization ? 

Answer — AVell, they went around whipping and scaring people. I 
don't know who did the killing ; there have been forty men killed in this 
County, and those parties must have done it. There have been five or six 
killed around here. I don't know how many are on the Coroner's book, 
for he would not give me the report, when I asked for it. I asked for it 
when I was in office. 

1361. Question — What was the cause of these outrages, which were 
committed against so many persons ? 

Answer — Because they Avere Radicals. They swore in the j)ublic 
streets that a Radical sliould not live in this County. 

1362. Question — Do you know of any means of violence or intimida- 
tion used to prevent persons from voting ? 

Answer — They told them if they voted they would not hire them, and 
they should not have houses to live in, &c. They even Avent so far as to 
say that they didn't Avant doctors to attend them. They do that with 
me, and do all they can against me. Only yesterday they again levied 
on my property, Avhen I was away from home. On the day of election Re- 
publican votes were only given at three boxes. There were eleven boxes 
in this County. Republican tickets were not alloAved to be carried there. 
I could not get a Constable to go to the polls. I appointed thirteen Con- 
stables, but not one would serve. 

1363. Question — What was the cause of those men not being willing 
to serve ? 

Answer — They were afraid to serve. 

1364. Question — Whom and what were they afraid of? 

Answer — Afraid of violence from the Democrats. That is what tliey 
told me. 

1365. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Where Avere you the day John- 
son Stuart Avas killed ? 

AnsAver — I Avas home, in bed. 

1366. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — When Avas Jack Roberts killed? 
AnsAA'er — I think before Ave had a Constitution. 

1367. Question — When Avas Baxter killed ? 
AnsAver — I think he Avas killed before that, too. 

1368. Question — Was any arrest made for the killing of Baxter ? 
AnsAver — I think Paysinger (noAV Sheriff) Avas arrested for it. 

1369. Question — The day that Nance was killed you say you met 
Fitzgerald and MurtishaAV ? 

Answer — Yes. 



104 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1370. Question — How many miles from town? 
Answer — Six miles. 

1371. Question — Did you have any conversation with them? 
Answer — No. 

1372. Question — Did you have any with Gist? 
Answer — I didn't have any with Gist or Caldwell. 

1373. Question — What Avere Gist and Caldwell doing when you ar- 
rested them ? 

Answer — I met them going back. 

1374. Question — On wdiat authority did you arrest them? 

Answer — The Sheriff told me, as Deputy Constable, I should arrest 
them, as I had the power to arrest on suspicion. 

1375. Question — Then you arrested them on suspicion as coadjutors ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1376. Question — Where was Gist when you arrested him? 

Answer — In the horse lot at his own home. We had talked that day, 
(I mean the Sherifi', the garrison and myself,) and they told me I had a 
right to arrest them. 

1377. Question — You say that Gist told you he had overtaken these 
men (Fitzgerald and Murtishaw) ? 

Answer — Yes ; and said that he had taken them to Haddin's still and 
treated them. 

1378. Question — When you arrested him, did he ask the cause of it ? 
Answer — I think he did. 

1379. Question — What did he say Avhen yovi told him the cause ? 
Answer — I don't remember. He said he didn't mind it, he could give 

bail, as he didn't murder any one. 

1380. Question — Did you make efforts to arrest Fitzgerald and Murti- 
shaw^ that day ? 

Answer — Yes ; we rode all day. 

1381. Question — On the way with Gist to towTi, did he converse with 
you ? 

Answer — He offered to pay me to let him go ; and told me he had 
saved my life the night before, and that I ought to let him go. 

1382. Question — When you put him in jail, a crowd got around and 
attempted to rescue him ? 

Answer — They threatened to do it. 

1383. Question — Please state some of the names of the party ? 
Answer — When I came out of the jail I saw Mr. Blease and Mr. Sim 

Boozer, and several others. 

1384. Question — How do you know they were going to attempt to 
rescue the prisoners ? 

Answer — I only know from hearsay. They were there, and the Sherifi* 
said he must have a guard ? 

1385. Question — Did you see them make any demonstration ? 
Answer— They were cursing ; they were tight and making a noise. 
138G. Question — Can you tell what )^ou heard any of them say? 
Answer — Blease took me off one side, and asked me Avhat I arrested 

Caldwell for. I told him I would tell him in the raox'ning. He said that 
he had sent Caldwell, and wanted me to turn Caldwell out and put him 
in. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 105 



1387. Question — You said that certain parties about here swore that 
they would kill every Republican in the County. Now, who said that ? 

Answer — I heard Sim Boozer say so. 

1388. Question — Did you hear Fitz Caldwell say so ? 

Answer — I think I have. He was at the head of the Ku Klux in 
this town. 

1389. Question — Do you know that to be a fact? 
Answer — I know" he led them. 

1390. Question — Did you see him leading them ? 
Answer — I saw him a heap of nights. 

1391. Question— What did they Vlo? 

Answer — Well, Fitz Caldwell, Dick Gist and Washington Calamose 
wanted to ride into my father's nigger house ; Calamose and Gist rode in. 

1392. Question — How do you know? 

Answer — I saw the horses' tracks ; they broke one of the planks. 

1393. Question — Did they do any other damage? 
Answer — They threatened them. 

1394. Question — You say they gave you thirty days to live; who 
was it? 

Answer — Dick Gist. z 

1395. Question — How did you get the information ? 

Answer — He told me verbally ; Rumley also said that Gist told him 
to tell me that I would be in hell in thirty days. 

1396. Question — You say that Caldwell, Gist, Suber and AYard were 
the head of this party ? 

Answer — I infer that. 

1397. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Well, to the best of your knowledge 
and belief, they are the planners, and get these desperadoes to go out and 
do the dirty work, as you term it ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1398. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You say these men would do the 
head Avork, and get such men as Fitzgerald and Murtishaw to do the 
dirty work. How do you know it ? 

Answer — From the best of my knowledge and belief 

1399. Question — How do you know that Fitzgerald didn't know Lee 
Nance ? 

Answer — Because he was a stranger. 

1400. Question — Because you knew that Fitzgerald didn't know 
Nance, you knew that these men (Caldwell, Gist, Subcr and Ward) were 
at the head of the Ku Klux ? 

Answer — To the best of my knowledge and belief, I state it. 

1401. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Why did you fix on them as leaders? 
Only from the fact that Fitzgerald was unacquainted with those that he 
murdered ? 

Answer — Well, when Fitzgerald was here, they would take him and 
treat him before these things occurred, and I saw Fitzgerald kept that 
company. 

1402. Question — That was the way you drew your inference ? 
Answer — Yes ; by his being with them. 

1403. Question — They didn't like your accepting the office of Con- 
stable? 

12 



106 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No ; they are poison to me since I took the office. 

1404. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You say that forty men have been 
killed in the County. Now, how many can you name ? 

Answer — I don't know their names. 

1405. Question — You say that the alleged offences for w^hich certain 
men were killed, Avere that they were Radicals. Please state what men 
said that ? 

Answer — That was the general rumor. 

1406. Question — Can you state any leading Democrat in this County 
who said Radicals would be killed for their political opinions ? 

Answer — I have heard so. 

1407. Question — You said that they would not let you alone, and that 
on yesterday they levied on your property. Was that the Democratic 
party ? 

Answer — Yes, they were Democrats. 

1408. Question — You said there were only three boxes where Rejiub- 
lican tickets were allowed to be used ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1409. Question — Do you know these things to be true? 
Answer — That Avas the return ; it shows for itself. 

1410. Question — Yes; but you said "not allowed." Do you mean 
that? 

Answer — They were not allowed. 

1411. Question — How do you know? were you present? 

Answer — No ; the tickets didn't get there ; they were thrown away ; at 
least they didn't get there. Between sixty and seventy-five came from 
Kromer's box, on the day of election, and said they could not vote there, 
and wanted to vote here, for they were not allowed. They voted here, as 
I told them they could, as they w^ere registered. 

1412. Question — Give us the names of some of those who were not al- 
lowed to vote at Kromer's box ? 

Answer — One was named Casey ; he was the leader of the party that 
brought them here. 

1413. Question — You said that the Democratic party had levied on 
your property, and had tried to turn you out of house and home ; did 
they have a judgment? 

Answer — They did it through a fraudulent order, from the Court of 
Equity. The bill can be seen in the Clerk's office. Col. Baxter drew up 
this order, and got Chancellor Carroll to give an order to sell the land 
under a bill that Avas previously dismissed. 

1414. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — When did he give the order? 
Answer — Last of last year. 

141. 5. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did he give it to the Democratic 
party ? 

Answer — Yes ; they ai-e all Democrats around here. 

1416. Question — You said that one of Gist's companies Avas on your 
road, and the Molly Horn company on the College road ; was that the 
company that killed Stuart ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1417. Question — How do you knoAV that these companies Avere stationed 
there ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 107 



Answer — I heard it from colored men ; I was sick in bed. 

Wm. M. Kinard, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

1418. Question — What is your full name? 
Answer — AVilliam M. Kinard. 

1419. Question — Do you live in this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1420. Question — What portion ? 

Answer — About five miles from here, in a north-eastern direction. 

1421. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born in this County. 

1422. Question — Do you know of any disturbances occurring last fall, 
preceding and at the election ? 

Answer — I don't think I can remember. I never saw or heard of any, 
preceding the election. 

1423. Question — At Avhat poll did you vote ? 
Answer — Voted here at Newberry. 

1424. Question — Do you know of any means said to have been used to 
intimidate persons from voting as they chose? 

Answer — No ; I never heard of any intimidations. I only heard ru- 
mors spoken of. 

1425. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You said you had not heard of any 
outrages committed in this County, prior to the election ? 

Answer — I don't think so. 

1426. Question — Didn't you hear of Nance's death ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1427. Question — Was that not prior to the election ?" 
Answer — Yes. 

1428. Question — Did you hear of the death of Johnson Stuart, who 
was killed within the incorporation ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1429. Question — Was there not considerable conjecturing as to the 
cause of their death ? 

Answei" — Yes. 

1430. Question — What was the general conjecture in regard to their 
death ? 

Answer — There were two. 

1431. Question — Well, in regard to Johnson Stuart? 

Answer — That he was killed by persons unknown ; done by armed men, 
riding out of town. 

1432. Question — Were you in town that day? 

Answer — No ; I was at home, about five and a half miles from here. 

1433. Question — Was it not a general rumor that, on the day Stuart 
was killed, a political meeting was held in this town ? 

Answer — I may have heard it, but I forget. 

1434. Question — Was a rumor prevalent that Nance was President of 
the League? 

Answer — I heard that, after he Avas killed. 

1435. Question — The fact of your hearing that after his death, would 



108 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



you not conclude that the conjecture was that it had something to do 
with his death ? 

Answer — I would connect it that way. 

1436. Question — Were you within the incorporation the day of Nance's 
death ? 

AnsAver — No. 

1437. Question — You were here at the general election ? 
Answer — A short time only ; only, about two hours. 

1438. Question — Was there or was there not any disturbance about 
the polls ? 

Answer — I didn't see any ; I voted and left the polls. 

1439. Question — About these rumors in relation to intimidating per- 
sons from exercising a free ballot ; was there such a rumor ? 

Answer — I can answer that affirmatively. I heard some people say 
they Avere going to let them go and vote, (those who had colored people 
employed.) I heard a few who said they were going to advise them how 
to vote. 

1440. Question — About turning them off? 

Answer — I heard some such expressions, that they would turn them off. 

1441. Question — Did you frequently attend meetings on either side? 
Answer — Yes ; the Democratic club. 

1442. Question — Did you attend the Democratic club, at any time, 
when there were resolutions passed in relation to labor? 

Answer — No. 

1443. Question — Were there any steps made that tended that way ? 
Answer — No ; I only attended twice. 

1444. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you receive a circular pre- 
vious to the election, that Democrats would not employ men who didn't 
vote the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — Yes ; a circular was addressed to me ; I saw it. I don't 
know who sent it. I received one, and supposed it was sent out by the 
Democratic club. 

1445. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — What reason had you for supposing 
tliat it was sent j^ou by the Democratic club ? 

Answer — I don't doubt but what it was. (Circular shown witness.) I 
didn't really know where it came from, but received it, believing that it 
came from the club. 

1446. Question — That was your supposition? 
Answer — Yes. 

1447. Qnestion (by Mr. Wright) — You read it at the time ; did you 
regard it as the spirit of the club? 

Answer — I can't say ; I don't think it could be considered as their 
opinion. I regarded it as being issued by the Democratic people, and I 
regarded it as coming from the Central club, in this town. I never at- 
tended the club in this town. 

William Boyce, (colored,) sworn. 
Examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1448. Question — AVhat is your name? 
Answer — William Boyce. 

1440. Question — Do you live in this County? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. lOQ 



Answer — Yes. 

1450. Question — How long have you lived here ? 
Answer — Was raised here. 

1451. Question — In town? 
Answer — Yes. 

1452. Question — Do you know of any disturbances, or that any one 
was intimidated, on the day of election ? 

Answer — No ; I was in prison at the time of the murders of Lee Nance 
and Johnson. 

1453. Question — What were you in prison for? 

Answer — On Friday night before the murders, some one stole my opos- 
sums from my house, (I was fixing to have a supper.) On Saturday 
night, I took a gun from Mr. Gaillaird's room, (I was waiting on him at 
Dr. Fant's,) and I was going home. Mr. John Coats met me, and asked 
me whose gun. I told him, Mr. Gaillaird's. He asked me what I was going 
to do with it. I told him some one had been stealing my fowls, and I 
was going to protect my property. This was on Saturday night, long be- 
fore Ward was shot. Mr. Coats took the gun from me. I took it with- 
out asking Mr. Gaillaird for it. I gave it to Mr. Coats without resistance, 
and went directly home. I didn't live near where Ward was shot. I 
didn't go out again that night. They arrested me on the next (Sunday) 
evening, between four and live o'clock. Mr. Paysinger, the Sheriff, ar- 
rested me. Mr. Fair and John Ivlontgomery were present. I was ar- 
rested while making up Mr. Gaillaird's bed; was in jail three months; 
was before Judge Hoge, and admitted to bail to answer at Court. The 
Grand Jury found no bill, and I was discharged. 

On motion of Mr. Bryant, the Committee adjourned, to meet to-mor- 
row, at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 21, 1869. 

Present : All the Committee. 
Morgan Casey, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

1 454. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — IMorgan Casey. 

1455. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes ; I live fifteen miles out of town. 

1456. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Since I was born. 

1457. Question — Were you at the court house the day Judge Hogo 
made a speech ? 

Answer — Yes. 



110 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1458. Question — Did you hear that speech ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1459. Question — What time did you leave to'wn to go home? 
Answer — Between 2 and 3 o'clock ; it was raining. 

1460. Question — Were you in company with any one? 
Answer — Yes ; with my son. 

1461. Question — What is his name? 
Answer — Stephen Casey. 

1462. Question — Was any one else with you ? 
Answer — No one that I knew. 

1463. Question — Were there any others on the road going out? 
Answer — Yes. 

1464. Question — Did you know any of them? 
Answer — Yes. 

1465. Question — Mention their names. 

Answer — Cheves McCracken, Daniel Epps. I don't remember the 
other men's names, as I was a little alarmed that day, and did not pay 
much attention. 

1466. Question — What alarmed you that day ? 

Answer — While in town that day, walking about, as I passed men they 
said, " Yes, damn him, I know him," and their pointing at me alarmed 
me, and I did not know what to do. 

1467. Question — AVere those two men you mentioned going from the 
town ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1468. Question — Were they white or colored men ? 
Answer — White men. 

1469. Question — Were they riding or walking ? 
Answer — Riding on horseback. 

1470. Question — -What kind of a horse did either of them ride ? 
Answer — Epps rode a yellow horse. 

1471. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you mean a clay color? Define 
it again. 

Answer — Well, some call it a pumpkin color ; some call it a cream 
color. When I gave evidence before, I said it was a yellow horse. My 
brother could see the horse better than I could, and said it was an old yel- 
low stud ; so we both agreed that it was a yellow horse. My brother and 
Bob Quiller were in a little w^agon, and those men passed them before 
they got to the steam mill. 

1472. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What was the color of the horse's 
mane and tail ? 

Answer — I did not notice particularly. 

1473. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Did you know Johnson Stuart be- 
fore he was killed? 

Answer — Yes. 

1474. Question — Did you see him that day ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1475. Question — What time was it? 

Answer — Fore part of the day. I talked with him half an hour be- 
fore he was killed. 

1476. Question — Where was it that you saw him ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. lit 



Answer — In the blacksmith's shop, while it was raining. I saw him 
afterwards going by the hill towards the College. 

1477. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said you only knew two men 
on the road, and they were white men ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I meant there were only two white men that I 
knew. 

1478. Question — How many colored men did you know besides those 
with you ? 

Answer — Only my son, as he started with me. The others were ahead 
of me. My son, when we got to the branch, was a little ahead of me. 
This was on the road Johnson Stuart was on. My son stopped at the 
branch and said, " Daddy, I heard those men say, ' Ride slow, old Morg 
is coming,' " and then I slackened my horse's gait a little until they rode 
out of the branch. As they rode out, I rode in. I stayed in there until 
they got some hundred yards from the branch. I then rode on slowly. 
In the meantime they got in contact with Johnson Stuart. I then rode 
by them a short distance, and stopped. Cheves McCracken was twenty 
or thirty yards behind me, sitting on his horse, and Dan Epps shot twice, 
and Johnson Stuart ran back to his mother's wagon, and caught hold of 
the back end of the wagon, and, being too Aveak to hold on, fell in the 
road. After Epps shot and Johnson fell, Cheves passed by me, and I 
looked in his face and said, "That is a dead man." He never said a 
word, but rode ou. 

1479. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — You said Cheves McCracken rode 
by you ; what became of Epps ? 

Answer — He rode on. When he fired the last shot he whirled around 
and started oif in a gallop. Some men before him said, " Don't gallop." 
He then halted, and rode in an easy gait. 

1480. Question — Who were those men ahead ? 

Answer — I don't know ; they were white men. Fletcher Casey and 
Bob Quiller were in a little wagon ahead of them. Fletcher Casey and 
Bob Quiller both knew Epps. 

1481. Question — After they rode by did you see what road they took ? 
Answer — No ; I was above the College, and could not see. I took my 

son with me, and went a quarter of a mile up the road, with my son be- 
hind me on horseback. I then dismounted, as I did not think it judi- 
cious to go home, and gave him the horse, and told him to go on home. 

1482. Question — What made you think it would be injudicious to go 
home? 

Answer — The death of Johnson Stuart alarmed me so I was afraid to 
go home, for Johnson and I were pretty much the same kind of men. 

1483. Question — What do you mean by the same kind of men ? 
Answer — I mean Republican men. 

1484. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — At the time you saw Epps shoot 
Johnson Stuart, who was in company with Epps ? I mean at the time 
you saw Epps shoot twice ? 

Answer — Cheves McCracken was standing looking on. 

1485. Question — How far ? 
Answer — Right opposite, on the road. 

1486. Question — You said there was a company of men ahead of you : 
how many men were there ? 



112 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Twelve or thirteen. Around Epps,wlienhe shot, there were 
three men, close to him, and telling him not to do it, and saying, "Don't 
shoot, don't shoot." 

1487. Question — Did you know those three men ? 
Answer — No. 

1488. Question — What kind of horses had they? 
Answer — One or two of them were on mules, I think. 

1489. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — How long had you known Johnson 
Stuart ? 

Answer — From a child. 

1490. Question — What part of this County did he live in ? 
Answer — In Molly Horn Cove. 

1491. Question — Had you seen Epps in town that day ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1492. Question— Where ? 

Answer — In the street, talking with Bob Quiller. 

1493. Question — Had you spoken to Epps ? 
Answer — No. 

1494. Question — Did you hear any words pass between Johnson Stu- 
art and Epps on the road ? 

Answer — I heard Johnson say he would not be searched. He would 
die before he would be searched. 

1495. Question — You didn't hear Epps say anything ? 

Answer — Epps said, "God damn you, I have got a pistol. I can show 
my pistol." In the discussion Johnson said, " By God, you go about 
your business. I am attending to my business, and you go about yours." 

149G. Question — Did you say he cursed ? 

Answer — Yes ; he said, " By God, I am not bothering you ; and don't 
you bother me." 

1497. Question — Did you hear any other words between them? 
Answer — No ; I was so scared I didn't pay much attention. 

1498. Question — Were they quarrelling when you first got within 
hearing ? 

Answer — Yes ; they were riding slowly and quarrelling, and by their 
quarrelling I got ahead of them, and I stopped a little after I went past, 
looked back, and then the shooting was done. 

1499. Question — Did you see any one else draw their pistols. 
Answer — No ; Johnson did not draw his pistol. That is what they 

were trying to make him do when they wanted to search him. 

1500. Question — Do you know whether there was any difficulty be- 
tween Epps and Stuart before that time ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

1501. Question — How long had you known McCracken ? 
Answer — Since a boy. I have worked for him. 

1502. Question — Did McCracken say anything at the time of the 
shooting ? 

Answer — No ; never said a word. 

1503. Question (by Mr. Elliott)— McCracken didn't say anything ? 
Answer — No ; not a word. He was on the left hand side of the road, 

on the same side I was. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 113 



1504. Question — Did you come back to where Johnson's body was ly- 
ing? 

Answer — Yes ; he was dead Avhen I got there. 

1505. Question — Did they hold an inquest ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1506. Question — Did they summon you as a witness ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1507. Question — Did you testify before the inquest what you testify to 
now? 

Answer — No ; I was afraid to call Epps' name. I just said that the 
man that did it was riding a yellow horse. 

1508. Question — Did they ask you his name ? 
Answer — No. 

1509. Question — Why were you afraid to tell Epps' name? 
Answer — I thought the people here in town were friendly to Epps, 

and they might do something to me. I thought my life would be in 
danger. I thought a time would come when I cotdd tell it. 

1510. Question — So you believe that in the state of society then it 
would have been dangerous to have mentioned his (Epps'j name? 

Answer — Yes ; for I would have been a dead man. Another thing : 
The next day after, when I went home, the settlement all told me that I 
was the man they were going to kill that day, but by their coming in 
contact with Johnson, my life was saved. 

1511. Question — \s\\o told you that? 

Answer — The Avhole settlement. It was the general talk. After I 
went home next day and found I was the man that was to have been killed, 
and Epps, before that, was so friendly Avith me, I then resolved when I 
got a chance I would tell about this. 

1512. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you know where this man Epps 
is now ? 

Answer — I heard he lived at Douglas', in Union. 

1513. Question — Is he a man of family ? 

Answer — I think he has been married about twelve months. 

1514. Question — Do you know if he has ever committed any other 
outrages ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

1515. Question — Has it been the general rumor that he has committed 
other outrages? 

Answer — I do not know. 

1516. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say you were here the day that 
Judge Hoge spoke ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1517. Question — Did you remain until the speech was over? 
Answer — Yes. 

1518. Question — Did any one follow him to the depot? 

Answer — He and M\\ Henderson went to the depot, and when he got 
to the cars, several Avent up and dogged him. A little boy Avent in the 
car and called him a dog, and cursed him. 

1519. Question — Do you knoAV of any threats having been used to 
keep persons from voting as they desired ? 

14 



114 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I do not know of any, to make a positive statement ; I only 
know what I heard. 

1520. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Do you know of any one that was 
kept away from the polls by any intimidation or any threats to discharge 
them, &c. ? 

Answer — I don't know, only what I heard ; I cannot settle down to the 
exact men. 

1521. Question — AVas it the general rumor? 

Answer — It was a general thing over the settlement, that if they went 
to vote they would be turned oif. 

1522. Question — Vote what? 

Answer — The Radical ticket ; and if they voted the Democratic 
ticket they should have homes, &c. 

1523. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Was any one walking with Stuart 
when he was shot ? 

Answer — Yes ; West Renwick, a colored man ; I think that is his 
name. 

Ransom McClellan, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

1524. Question — What is your name, in full ? 
Answer — Ransom McClellan. 

1525. Question — Where do you live? 
Answer — In Newberry village. 

1526. Question — How long have you lived here? 
Answer — For about 25 years. 

1527. Question — Do you knoAV of any threats made to prevent persons 
from voting at the last election? 

Answer— Yes ; one. I heard Mr. Jacob Kibler say to two young col- 
ored men that worked for him, and who came in with him, " If you vote 
the Democratic ticket you can go back to work, but if you vote the 
Republican ticket, just as quick as you vote it and come down from them 
steps, I will i^ay you off — your things can remain until to-morrow, and 
then you must leave." The two young men came back next day, and 
one of them said, " Kibler did turn me off, sure enough." I said, "Well, 
you can get work." I said, " Did he pay you ?" They said, " Yes ;" 
and one pulled out the money and sliowed it to me. 

1528. Question — Do you know of any other instance of persons being 
turned off for voting ? 

Answer — No. 

1529. Question — Do you know anything about the killing of Johnson 
Stuart ? 

Answer — No, not about the killing. I heard Sim Boozer say, " I see 
Lee Nance has got General Kinard, and I expect us poor white folks had 
better go over and see too." (Johnson Stuart had been shot over by the 
College.) Sim Boozer said, " God damn General Lee (Nance), I could 
see his very heart out of him," Bas Blease said, " There is one Radical 
that will not get a chance to vote." 

1530. Question — Is that all you know about that? 
Answer — Yes. 

1531. Question — Do you know of any other outrages committed ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 115 



Answer — I saw the difficulty betAveen Dogan and Murtishaw, but not 
the commencement of it. I saw Murtishaw riding up with a pistol in 
his hand, as though he was going to put it through a pane of glass. 

1532. Question — Did you know Murtishaw at that time? 
Answer — Yes. 

1533. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you vote at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3 534. Question — Did you see any difficulty at the jiolls ? 

Answer — No ; I voted early and went to Avork. 

1535. Question — Did any one ever try to intimidate or threaten you 
if you voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — No. 

• George Fant, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1536. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — George Fant. 

1537. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1538. Question — What part of the County ? 

Answer — I live Avithin fourteen miles of here. . 

1539. Question — Hoav long have you lived here? 
AusAver — Three years. 

1540. Question — Were you in town the day Judge Hoge spoke here ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1541. Question — Did you hear his speech? 

AnsAver — No ; I saAV him come out of the court house, and that is all 
I saAv. 

1542. Question — Was there or Avas there not considerable excitement 
in toAvn that day? 

AnsAver — There Avere a good many people here, but not much excite- 
ment. I Avas coming around the corner Avhen he Avent off. I heard a 
good deal of hallooing. 

1543. Question — Did you go Avith the croAvd to the depot ? 
Answei" — No. 

1544. Question — Hoav long after that did you remain in town ? 
Answer — I do not remember. 

1545. Question — Did it rain that afternoon? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

1546. Question — Where were you then ? 
AnsAver — I Avas in toAvn. 

1547. Question — Did you go out of toAvn, after the rain? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

1548. Question — In about hoAV long? 

Answer — I do not recollect ; might have been an hour or more. I got 
home by sun-down. 

1 549. Question — Did you meet a good many persons on the road ? 
AnsAver — No ; I never met a soul. I passed a good many. 

1550. Question — Do you knoAV the names of any of the men you passed 
on the road ? 



116 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I passed Mr. Reuben Chick and Pettis Chick in a buggy, and 
a good many others I didn't know. 

1551. Question — Were the Chicks white or colored ? 

Answer — White men ; I did not pass any colored people that I knew. 

1552. Question — Did you know Johnson Stuart? 

Answer — No ; I saw him lying in the road nearly dead. There was 
a colored woman by him ; his head was lying in her lap. 

1553. Question — Did you know anything about the man that shot 
him ? 

Answer — No ; Tim Bynam and I were together, and we Avent on to- 
gether. The old woman was crying, and said she didn't know what 
they had done it for. 

1554. Question — Did you meet a lot of men, after you left the dead 
man, Johnson ? 

Answer — Yes ; I caught up with a good many, but I never stopped 
with them. I didn't stop to talk with a soul, only Mr. Chick, and I told 
him about it. 

1555. Question — Did or did not general rumor state who killed John- 
son Stuart, and for what ? 

Answer — No. 

1 556. Question — Then you know nothing about the killing of John- 
son Stuart? 

Answer — No ; I know nothing. 

1557. Question — Did you or did you not hear of threats used prior to 
the election, that if any colored man, working on plantations, voted the 
Radical ticket, they would be turned off? 

Answer — Yes. 

1558. Question — Do you know of any turned oft' for voting that 
ticket? 

Answer — No. 

1559. Question — Can you state any one party that said they would 
turn oft" persons for voting that ticket ? 

Answer — No ; not particularly. I never heard any man who had them 
employed say so. 

1560. Question — Do you know of any band or secret organization in 
the County ? 

Answer — No. 

1561. Question — Do you know of a band of men, armed and organized, 
to bushwhack certain persons? 

Question — No ; not in our neighborhood. 

1562. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — I understood you to say you passed 
a good many people on horseback ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1563. Question — Did you know any of the parties you met on horse- 
back ? 

Answer — Yes; I passed Murtishaw, Fitzgerald, Dr. Epps' son, and 
others. 

1564. Question — Were they riding or walking ? 
Answer — Riding. 

1565. Question — Were they on horses or mules ? 
Answer — Murtishaw was riding a mule, I believe. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 117 



1566. Question — What kiud of a horse was it Epps rode ? 

Answer — I don't recollect ; I think a bay mare, but I am not certain. 

1567. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did he own a bay mare? 
Answer — Yes ; he kept her for a saddle mare. I do not recollect 

though whether he was riding her or not. 

1568. Question — Did they enter into any conversation with you? 
Answer — No. 

1569. Question — How many Avere in the company that Epps was in ? 

Answer — When I got on the creek Epps was above me, and Mr. Mil- 
ler stopped to talk with him, and then I heard the woman say some one 
was killed. 

1570. Question — How many persons were with Ej^ps, when you caught 
up with him ? 

Answer — Some six or seven. 

1571. Question — Are you sure that Murtishaw and Fitzgerald were 
with that company ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1572. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Was a man named Dick Gist in 
that company ? 

Answer — No. 

1573. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How do you know? 

Answer — I never saw him; he might have been ; I don't recollect now. 

1574. Question (by Mr. JNIcIntyre) — Did you have any conversation 
with those parties you caught up with ? 

Answer — No ; I only spoke to Chick and Bynam. I told them that I 
had seen a man on the road shot. Chick said, " Who did it?" I said I 
did not know. He said " Such work is doing no good." I told him 
the woman said that he was a free man, and never troubled any one ; 
that a man had ridden uj) and shot him twice. 

1575. Question — Did you ever see Johnson Stuart before that? 
Answer — No, I never did, that I know of. 

1576. Question — When you spoke to this woman, how far ahead were 
those parties that you caught up with ? 

Answer — I do not recollect ; I could not see thera. 

1577. Question — Was there any one in company with you? 
Answer — Yes ; Mr. Bynam and I. We were talking about it only. 

1578. Question — When in conversation Avith Bynam, were any sur- 
mises made as to the cause of Stuart's death ? 

Answer — No ; I did not say anything to Bynam concerning the cause, 
for I did not know. 

1579. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were there no conjectures between 
you and Bynam in reference to the cause? 

Answer — I do not recollect ; I was just talking to him about it. 

1580. Question — After you left the woman, was there anything said be- 
tween you two in relation to politics, or about his (Stuart) being here at 
the meeting ? 

Answer — No. 

1581. Question — Was not something said about his (Stuart) attending 
the meeting? 

Answer — He had not been here. 

1582. Question — How do you know ? 



118 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — His horse's head was turned this way. 

1583. Q,uestion — Do you know whether he was coming into town, or 
going out? 

Answer— I do not knoAV. His horse's head Avas turned this way, but I 
do not know where he was going when shot; the Avagon, in the excite- 
ment, might hav'c been turned. 

1584. Question — Was there any conversation going on between the 
parties you caught up Avith, in relation to Stuart's death ? 

Answer — No ; not a word Avas mentioned. 

1585. Question — Did you not mention to them that you passed a man 
killed ? 

AnsAver — No. 

1586. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — When an event of that kind has 
taken place, should you meet other parties you kncAV, and you did not 
talk over it, Avould it not seem strange ? 

AnsAver — Well, I didn't. 

1587. Question— Why ? 

AnsAver — Well, I did not Avant to knoAV anything about it. I did not 
say to the parties that I met that I passed a dead man in the road. 

1588. Question — Were those your only motives in remaining silent 
concerning Avhat you had seen ? 

AnsAver — Yes. 

1589. Question — Did the Avoman Avho had the dead man's head in her 
lap, and to whom you spoke, say Avho shot him ? 

Answer — No ; I asked her, but she did not tell me. 

1590. Question — Did you ask Avhether it Avas a Avhite or colored man ? 
AnsAver — No. She might have told me Avhether a Avhite or colored 

man, but I do not remember. 

1591. Question — Did she tell you Avhether they Avere riding or Avalking ? 
Answer — I do not remember. 

1592. Question — Can you recollect Avhether she told you about the 
horse the man that did the shooting Avas riding ? 

AnsAver — I am sure she did not. 

1593. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you armed? 
Answer — No ; I had no pistol or gun. 

1594. Question — Was the man that was with you armed? 
AnsAver — No. 

1595. Question — Those parties that you caught up Avith, Avere they 
armed ? 

Answer — They might have had their pistols. 

Alfred Denson, sAvorn, 
Examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1596. Question — What is your name ? 
AnsAver — Alfred Denson. 

1597. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1598. Question — How long have you resided here ? 
AnsAver — Born and raised in this County. 

1599. Question — In Avhat direction do you live ? 
AnsAver — In a north-east course, towards Unionville. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 119 



1600. Question — Were you in town the day Judge Hoge spoke at the 
court house ? 

Answer — No. 

1601. Question — Were you in town when Lee Nance was killed? 
Answer — No ; but I was the day after. 

1602. Question — Did you attend any of the Club meetings of the 
Democratic party ? 

Answer — I only went to listen to them, 

1603. Question — Do you know of any rule passed by the Club in 
your neighborhood in relation to laborers ? 

Answer — I do not know what they passed. I have heard them talk 
about it that they would not hire a Radical. I don't belong to any Club. 

1604. Question — Were you or were you not on the road the day John- 
son Stuart was killed ? 

Answer — No ; I was at home that day. 

1605. Question — Where did you vote at the election ? 
Answer — At Henry Whitmire's, about eighteen miles from here. 

1606. Question — Was there any disturbance there? 
Answer — No ; it was all quiet that day. 

1607. Question — Did the colored people about there vote? 
Answer — No colored man voted there, that I know of 

1608. Question — Was it or Avas it not the general rumor that no col- 
ored man should vote at that poll unless he voted the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — I don't know about that. There were no Republican tick- 
ets there. 

1609. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, what was 
the cause of there being no Republican tickets voted at that box ? 

Answer — There were none sent there. 

1610. Question — Do you know that positively ? 
Answer — There were none that I saw. 

1611. Question — Was it not generally rumored that no colored man 
should vote at that box unless he voted the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

1612. Question — Were there any men at that poll with arras who said 
they would not allow Radicals to vote? 

Answer — No ; not at that place. I did not vote at the box I used to 
vote at. I used to vote at Kromer's box. I heard rumors that there 
was going to be a fuss there. 

1613. Question — Why did you not vote at your regular box? 
Answer — Chief Constable Hubbard sent me a special deputy appoint- 
ment. 

1614. Question— Did you accept it? 

Answer — No ; because, if I did, I thought I would be shot. 

1615. Question — You believed, then, that it would have been danger- 
ous for you to have accepted it ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1616. Question — It would be, because you accepted a position under 
this Radical Government? 

Answer — I think there was danger in it. 

1617. Question — Do you believe that the same kind of intimidation 
kept colored people from the polls ? 



120 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes ; I think so. 

1618. Question — Do you know of any persons being turned off from 
their places for voting the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — I do not know of any. 

1619. Question — You stated that the only reason why you did not ac- 
cept the appointment of Deputy Constable Avas that you feared your life 
would be taken. 

Answ^er — Yes. 

1620. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Was it generally understood that 
there was a determination not to employ colored peoi)le Avho voted the 
Radical ticket ? 

Answer — It was my understanding. 

1621. Question — Did you hear of them threatening to turn them off 
of their lands ? 

Answer — That was my understanding. Not so with every one. 

1622. Question — Was it the general understanding ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1623. Question — Did it come to your knowledge that no Republican 
Avhite man Avas safe here ? 

AnsAVcr — I don't believe they were safe here for a Avhile. 

1624. Question — Did you hear them threaten any particular one? 
Answer — No. I Avas attacked on the road by a party for ray politics. 

1625. Question — What were the names of the parties? 

AnsAver — One Avas Dr. John Speeks. lie didn't say anything, but the 
party that Avas in the buggy Avith him did. 

1626. Question-^What are his politics ? 
AnsAver — I do not kuoAV. 

1627. Question — AVas it generally understood that there Avere men 
around here to bushwhack Republicans ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1628. Question — Have you heard it said that members of the Legis- 
lature Avould be killed off? 

AnsAver — I have heard them threaten you, (alluding to ]\Ir. CrcAVS,) 
and say you ought to be killed. 

1629. Question — That Avas generally said among Democrats ? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

1630. Question — Ever among Republicans? 
AnsAver — No. 

1631. Question — Why were they going to kill me ? 
AnsAver — I don't know. 

1632. Question — On account of my political opinions ? 
AnsAver — I reckon so. 

1633. Question — Do you live in the neighborhood of Mr. B. O. Dun- 
can? 

Answer — Yes. 

1634. Question — Did you ever hear them say anything against him ? 
AnsAver — I have heard some curse him for his politics, because he Avas 

a Republican. I have been cursed myself, and I haA^e always been a 
moderate man. I Avas a Union man during the Avar. 

1635. Question — The disposition Avas to try to run every man out that 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 121 



did anything towards reconstruction, and the enforcement of the laws 
generally ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1636. Question — Do you think that, were they not afraid of conse- 
quences, they would allow the present laws to be enforced ? 

Answer — I think they would not; I think so from their actions. 

1637. Question — Do you think, at this time, it wi-uld be safe for me to 
travel at night towards your house ? 

Answer — No. 

1638. Question — Did you know Johnson Stuart ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1639. Question — What was his character? 
Answer — He was a good man. 

1640. Question — What did you understand was the cause of his 
death ? 

Answer — Because he was a Republican. 

1641. Question (by Mr. JMcIntyre) — Do you know any party, called 
Democrats, who, by force, menace, intimidation or otherwise, unlawfully 
prevented another party, called Republicans, from assembling in public 
meetings, to freely discuss or hear discussed the claims or merits of their 
candidates, prior to and at the late general election? 

Answer — I do not know that I do. 

1642. Question — Have you been at any of their meetings? 
Answer — Yes, once ; when Mr. Timothy Hurley spoke here. 

1643. Question — Did they try, by threats or intimidation, to run him 
away ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

1644. Question — To what party do you belong? 
Answer — I have always been a neutral and moderate man. 

1645. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Do you think we could have a fair 
election now ? 

Answer — I doubt it. 

1646. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — To the best of your knowledge and 
belief, was it not unsafe and injudicious for any man entertaining Repub- 
lican sentiments, to have expressed them freely and openly in this County, 
prior to the election ? 

Answer — I think it was unsafe. 

1647. Q.uestion — When you say unsafe, do you mean that it was likely 
that he would meet with violence, and harsh treatment for so doing ? 

Answer — Yes ; I think so. 

1648. Question — Do you know that on account of the state of feeling 
against Republicans, at that time, many were prevented from voting at 
the late general election ? 

Answer — That is my notion and impression. 

On motion of Mr. McIntyre, at 1:10 P. M., the Committee adjourned, 
to meet on Monday, at 9 A. M. 

16 



122 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 24, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A. M. 
No witnesses being present, on motion, the Committee adjourned, to 
meet to-morrow, at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 25, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A. M. 

No witnesses being present, on motion, the Committee adjourned till 

May 27. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 27, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 10:30 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

Robert Roberts, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1649. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Robert Roberts. 

1650. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes ; born and bred in this County. 

1651. Question — How far from town do you live? 
Answer — Seventeen miles. 

1652. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1653. Question — Who were you working with at the time you voted? 
Answer — James Shepherd. 

1654. Question — Did he tell you how you must vote ? 

Answer — No. He told me I was a fool for voting, and that it Avas the 
Avorst piece of business I had done. 

1655. Question — Did he make any threats to you what he would do if 
j'-ou voted ? 

Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 123 



1656. Question— AVhat were they? 

Answer — He said if he had his gun he would blow my old head from 
under my old skull cap. 

1657. Question — Did he make any other threats? 
Answer — No, 

1658. Question — Did he say what else he would do with you if you 
voted ? 

Answer — That is all he said, and then drove me oft^. 

1659. Question — How were you working? 
Answer — On shares. 

1660. Question — What share were you to have? 
Answer — One-half. 

1661. Q,uestion — Did you get your share? 
Answer — No. 

1662. Question — What ticket did you vote? 
Answer — The Republican ticket. 

1663. Question — How did he know that you voted that ticket? 
Answer — He asked me, and I told him. 

1664. Question — Do you know of any other person or persons being 
turned oft' for voting ? 

Answer — No. 

1665. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — At what box did you vote? 
Answer — Longshore's. 

1666. Question — At what time of year was it when he turned you oflT? 
Answer — First Monday in August. 

1667. Question — You have not got anything for your services ? 
Answer — No. 

1668. Question — Have you ever gone to him for pay? 

Answer — He told me he would send for me when he got in his crop ; 
and when I went to receive it, it was forty-six bushels of corn and two 
hundred pounds of seed cotton. 

1669. Question — Did you take it? 

Answer — No ; I came to General Green, and he gave me a paper to 
him, he said to recover the crop. 

1670. Question — Did you take it to him ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1671. Question — What was it about? 
Answer — It said he was not to turn me off. 

1672. Question— What did Shepherd say ? 

Answer — He said I should not stay, if the paper did cover the crop. 

1673. Question — After he sent for you, and offered you the corn and 
seed cotton, and you didn't take it ; have you been to him since? 

Answer — No ; I have never been near him. 

1674. Question — You say you voted at Longshore's ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1675. Question — Did any one interfere with you at that box ? 

^ Answer — No ; but a crowd came there with the intention of shooting and 
killing us. 

1676. Question — How do you know ? 

Answer — Threats were made, and I heard other persons, who knew it, 



124 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



say the fact ; they had their pistols buckled around them. Our tickets 
didn't get there ; they fooled us Avith Democrat tickets. 

1677. Question — I thought you said you voted the Radical ticket 
there ? 

Answer — I did once before, but that time I didn't. 

1678. Question — What election do you mean that they fooled you, and 
made you put in a Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — At the Presidential election. 

1679. Question — AVas that the time you were turned off for voting? 
Answer — Yes. 

1580. Question — Turned you off because you voted the Democratic 
ticket ? 

Answer — They turned me off because I wanted to vote the Republican 
ticket. 

1681. Question — How do you know they fooled you; can you read? 
Answer — No ; they had red tickets, and ours were blue, and Avhen Ave 

discovered it, we sent word we were being fooled. 

1682. Question — Were no Republican tickets given in there, at Long- 
shore's box ? 

Answer — No ; they would not allow it. 

1683. Question — Do you know anything about other outrages com- 
mitted, or intimidations used? 

Answer — No. 

1684. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said you were fooled in the 
ticket, and didn't know it until you got to town, and met the tickets 
coming out? 

Answer — No. 

1685. Question — When did you find out you were fooled? 
Answer — The next day. 

1686. Question — Where were you then ? 
Answer — At home. 

1687. Question — Had you voted? 
Answer — Yes. 

1688. Question — Who gave you the Democratic ticket? 
Answer — I don't know ; the Club, I think. 

1689. Question — What ticket did they tell you it was ? 
Answer — They said it was the Radical ticket. 

1690. Question — Didn't you know that man was no Radical? 
Answer — No ; I didn't know him at all. I thought the man that 

gave me the ticket was a Yankee. 

Levi Cannon, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1691. Question — Do you live in this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1692. Question — How long have you lived in the County? 
AnsAver — Ever since I was born. 

1693. Question — Where Avere you on the day of the late general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — At the village here. 

1694. Question — Did you vote that day? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 125 



Answer — Yes. 

1695. Question— What ticket ? 
Answer — The Republican ticket. 

1696. Question — Did any person say anything to you for voting that 
ticket ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1697. Question — What was said? 

AnsAver — They said I should not vote the Republican ticket, and that 
I had better vote for the other side. I said I didn't know what I should 
do. They said I ought to turn on their side. 

1698. Question — Didn't you say awhile ago you voted? 
Answer — Yes ; but I was afraid to tell them so. 

1699. Question— Afraid of what? 
Answer — I was afraid of losing my life. 

1700. Question — Did you hear any threats ? 

Answer — Yes ; I heard threats that, if a man voted that ticket, he 
would be destroyed. 

1701. Question — Who said so ? 

Answer — Mr. Wurtz. He said he believed every Republican man 
Avould be killed, and that I should get all I could to vote their ticket, 
I said I thought I would not vote at all. He said, " All right." He 
said he would not be surprised if every Republican man didn't get killed. 

1702. Question— Don you know of any one killed or driven off for 
not voting their ticket ? 

Answer — No. 

1703. Question — Do you know anything more that occurred on elec- 
tion day ? 

Answer — No ; that is all I know. 

1704. Question — Were you in town the day that Associate Justice 
Hoge spoke at the court house? 

Answer — No. 

1705. Question — Were you in town the day Lee Nance was killed ? 
xinswer — No. 

1706. Question — Do you know anything about it ? 
Answer — No ; I only know what I heard. 

1707. Question — Do you know anything of the killing of Johnson 
Stuart ? 

Answer — No ; only wdiat I heard. 

1708. Question — Do you know anything about armed men, called 
bushwhackers ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1709. Question — Do you know any of the men? 

Answer — Yes ; I know two of them. I mean the Ku Klux, so-called. 

1710. Question — What do you know of them? 

Answer — A great crowd came to the plantation I live on. They forced 
open all tlie doors, and said they came to hunt for fire-arms that Mr De- 
AValt had left. I told them he left none. They knocked me about on 
the head with their pistols, and talked of ravishing my wife, and went to 
get in bed with her. They asked for money, and tried to break open the 
chest with their pistols. I opened it for them, and they turned out all 
our things, and burnt up my dictionary, Bible, and other things, and 



H&i- 



126 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



asked me if I were going to stay with DeWalt. I said I didn't know. 
They said, " Let us kill him, if he is going to stay here ;" and said, " If 
you are here in ten days, your life will be taken." They gave me ten 
days to be away. They found my shot, and threw it away. I told them 
I had had a fire-arm, but had none then. 

1711. Question — Who were those men? 

Answer — They were disguised, l)ut Avhen they spoke I knew them ; 
they were Adam Rikard and Sam Barre. 

1712. Question — Did they come back in ten days' time ? 

Answer — They came back in two weeks after that, and told DeWalt 
they had come for him. They went to the house, and one said, " Fire." 
They fired, and he fired at them, and then they went oft'. 

1713. Question— DeWalt fired ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1714. Question — All this Avas on De Walt's plantation? 
Answer — Yes. 

1715. Question — How far from here? 
Answer — Ten miles. 

1716. Question — In what direction ? 
Answer — South-east. 

1717. Question — Do you know anything else, in relation to this 
affair ? 

Answer — At that time, they Avent in another house, on the same place, 
and threw two bushels of corn in the fire. 

1718. Question — Did you see them do it ? 

Answer — When they went out I went in. They thrcAV the corn into 
the fire, and burned it up. They tried to burn up the man's clothes, and 
his wife's clothes ; I think they carried them oft'. 

1719. Question — They didn't kill any one that night ? 
Answer — No. 

1720. Question — Did they beat any one ? 

Answer — Only knocked me over the head Avith their pistols ; also Dan, 
and he said : " Massa Sam, I have no arms." He said : " God damn 
you, Avhat do you say ? I don't know you." 

1721. Question — They didn't want to be known ? 
AnsAver — That was it. 

1722. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Hoav many of these men Avere 
there ? 

Answer — I think there Avere eighteen or tAventy ; there was a poAver 
of men there. 

1723. Question — How were they dressed ? 

AnsAver — They had on false faces and Avhite sheets, and some had caps 
Avith red tassels. 

1724. Question — You say you only knew tAvo of them? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

1725. Question — Where are they now? 

Answer — Adam is at his father's, and Sam Barre at Frog Level ; he 
keeps a grocery store for Middleton Kibler. 

1726. Question — Did any one seem to have command of that squad ? 
AnsAver — One stayed on his horse and said : " Let us go ;" and they 

all marched off". 



■ ■■^ 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 127 



1727. Question — What did they say they treated you so for? 
Answer — They said if I were a friend of DeWalt, I was no friend of 

theirs. 

1728. Question — Was DeWalt a Radical? 
Answer — Not that I know ; he didn't tell me. 

1729. Question — Was this before or since the last election ? 
Answer — Since Christmas. 

1730. Question — Do you know anything about the Ku Klux before 
Christmas ? 

Answer — I heard of them, but never saw them. 

1731. Question — This is since the last election? 
Answer — Yes. 

1732. Question — None before? 
Answer — No ; none about the Ku Klux, 

1733. Question — Did you ever make complaint to the civil officers 
about these men ? ever get out a wai'rant ? 

Answer — Yes ; I spoke to Mr. Fair and Mr. Kinard ; they started to 
give me a ticket, (paper,) and took it back again ; Mr. Kinard took it 
back, 

1731. Question — Did you go and swear before a Magistrate that you 
had been so treated ? 

Answer — No. 

1735. Question — Did you or did you not think you had a right to go 
to a Magistrate and get out a warrant for them ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I was afraid to go. 

Spencer DeWalt, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

1736. Question — What is your name, in full? 
Answei' — Spencer DeWalt. 

1737. Question — In what neighborhood do you live? 
Answer — Five and a quarter miles from Frog Level. 

1738. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed for a few 
months preceding the last election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1739. Question — Just tell us what you know, not what you heard. 
Answer — The bushwhackers came to my house. 

1740. Question — Was it before the election? 
Answer — In December. 

1741. Question — We only want to know of what took place prior to 
and at the election. 

Answer — I came to Dr. Wurtz's, to get medicine, and he says : " Here 
comes Spencer, and I know he is going to vote the Radical ticket, and if 
he don't mind he Avill go up." He said : " Do you intend to vote the 
Radical ticket?" I said, "Yes." He gave me the medicine, and I went 
off. 

1742. Question — The Ku Klux never visited you before the election ? 
Answer — No, 

1743. Question — Did any one threaten you before the election? 
Answer — No further than Dr. Wurtz. 

1744. Question — Did you hear him say that ? 



128 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes ; I was present ; he said it to my face, 

1745. Question — Do you know of any other intimidations ? 
Answer — No. 

1746. Question — Did you vote? 
Answer — Yes. 

1747. Question — Did any one interfere with you ? 
Answer — No. 

1748. Question — What ticket did you vote ? 
Answer — Republican ticket. 

1749. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Do you know of persons turned off 
for voting the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — No. 

1750. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Did you hear of the Ku 
Klux, before the election, being about your country ? 

Answer — Yes ; I heard they were over to the left. 

1751. Question — AVas that the general rumor? 
Answer — Yes. They were riding up and down the roads. 

1752. Question — Do you know what was their object? 
Answer — I don't know. 

1753. Question — Were the colored people afraid to vote last fall ? 
Answer — They were scared. 

1754. Question — Were you afraid to let it be known? 
Answer — Yes. 

1755. Question — What were you afraid of? 

Answer — I was afraid they would kill me. They said if Ave voted 
here (Newberry) we would find a good many on the road to shoot us as 
we came back. 

1756. Question — Who told you ? 
Answer — The Democrats. 

1757. Question — The colored people were afraid, you said? 
Answer — Yes, afraid to go and vote. 

1758. Question — Don't you think that a good many more Republican 
votes would have been given if they had not been afraid ? 

Answer — Yes ; most of them would have voted the Republican ticket ; 
others would have voted the Democrat ticket. 

1759. Question — Do you think that those who voted the Democratic 
ticket thought that that party was right, or that they did it through fear? 

Answer — I believe they were afraid. 

1760. Question — Did they threaten to turn oft' those colored men who 
voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — Yes ; I heard the Democrats say so. 

1761. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you knoAV of any colored peo- 
ple that did not vote at the Presidential election ? 

Answer — There are some that did not vote twice. 

1762. Question (by ]\Ir. Wright) — What do you mean by voting twice? 
Answer — Never came to but one election. 

1763. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you know of any colored peo- 
ple in your community who did not vote at the general election last fall? 

Answer — No. 

1764. Question — You stated that a good many did not vote, because 
they were afraid ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 129 



Answer — That was at Subers'. I heard so from my boys. 

1765. Question — Do you know it to be so ? 
Answer — I don't know anything about it. 

1766. Question — So far as your knowledge extends, the colored people 
voted as they pleased ? 

Answer — 1 think so ; but some that I told to vote at Frog Level voted 
the other way. 

1767. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Do you think they voted the Demo- 
cratic ticket through fear ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1768. Question — Have you heard that a good many in your country 
did not vote because they were afraid ? 

Answer — I heard several say they were afraid to vote the Republican 
ticket, for, if they did not vote the Democratic ticket, they would lose 
their homes. I heard a man say that he did it from fear, 

1769. Question — Do you think the colored people now would be afraid 
to go and vote the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I think so. 

Lorenzo Dow, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1770. Question — Do you live in this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1771. Question— Plow long have you lived here? 
Answer — About three years. 

1772. Question — Were you here at the last election ? 
Answer — Yes, 

1773. Question — Did any person or persons threaten you in regard to 
voting ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1774. Question — What ticket did you vote ? 
Answer — The Republican ticket. 

1775. Question — Did any one threaten you befoi'e you voted that if 
you voted they would drive you off? 

Answer — Yes. 

1776. Question— Who told you? 
Answer — Preacher Boinest. 

1777. Question — He told you if you voted the Republican ticket you 
must leave his place? 

Answer — Yes ; and said I should not eat his bread. 

1778. Question — Notwithstanding this you voted the ticket? 
Answer — Yes. 

1779. Question — What else did he say before you voted? 

Answer — Nothing, except that he asked if we were all going to the 
election, and what ticket Ave were going to vote. I told him " I vote 
with the majority." He said all the Radicals should leave and not stay 
on his land. 

1780. Question — You voted the ticket; after that did he turn you off? 
Answer — When the crop was gathered I left. After I voted, he said 

nothing. I left myself. 

1781. Question — Would he have allowed you to stay ? 

17 



130 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. 

1782. Question — From what he said you left? 
Answer — Yes, 

1783. Question — Did you hear him threaten others? 
Answer — No. 

1784. Question — Do you know of any one being killed or shot before 
the election ? 

Answer — No. 

1785. Question — Do you know anything about a lot of men calling 
themselves bushwhackers or Ku Klux before the election ? 

Answer — No ; only after it. 

Dan DeWalt, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1786. Question — Do you live in this County? 

Answer — Yes ; I was raised eight or ten miles from the court house. 

1787. Question — In what direction ? 
Answer — South-east from the court house. 

1788. Question — Do you know anything about outrages committed in 
this County before the election ? 

AnsAver — All done since the election. I don't know of anything be- 
fore the election. 

1789. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Were there any colored men turned 
off for voting the Kepul)lican ticket at the last election ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. There Avere lots that didn't vote. 

1790. Question— Why ? 

Answer — Because they would not let them vote about Subers'. They 
came here to vote. The Avhites would not let them vote unless they 
voted the Democratic ticket. I intended to vote at Frog Level, but they 
pretended they could not find my name, and I came and voted here. 

1791. Question — You say a good many were turned away from voting 
the Republican ticket at Subers' ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1792. Question — After the election was over, did you hear of persons 
being turned off for voting ? 

Answer — Yes ; I heard of it. 

1793. Question — Did you ever hear of the Ku Klux before the 
election ? 

Answer — No ; I have heard tell of it. 

1794. Question — What were they doing? 

Answer — Destroying the black folks' things ; whipping some, and try- 
ing to run them out of the country. 

1795. Question — Who did you live with last year? 
Answer — With George DeWalt, since I was free, 

1796. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you know any colored people 
that didn't vote at the last election ? 

Answer — No. 

1797. Question — You said some had to come here to vote, and that if 
they would have voted the Democratic ticket they could have voted at 
Subers'. Who said so ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 131 



Answer — The man who held the tickets at Frog Level said they Avould 
not let them vote on the day of election. 

1798. Question — How do you know they would have allowed them to 
vote if they would vote the Democratic ticket ? 

AnsAver — Because it would be voting ou their side, 

1799. Question — You think so ? 

Answer — No, I know it. When you vote the Republican ticket they 
curse you. 

1800. Question — How do you know anything before it comes to pass? 
Answer — I mean, if they wanted to vote the Republican ticket they 

would not let them do it ; they Avanted them all to vote their ticket. 

1801. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — The man that took in the 
tickets at Frog Level said so ? 

Answer — Pretty much all the white men about there said so. 

Wade Morgan, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1802. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Wade Morgan. 

1803. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1804. Question — How long have you been a resident? 
Answer — All my life. 

1805. Question — Do you know of any outrages or of threats made be- 
fore and at the late general election ? if so, state them. 

Answei- — I do ; they wanted the Republican party all killed out ; that 
is what I heard. 

1806. Question — Who were going to do that? 
Answer — A crowd made up by Mr. Dick Gist. 

1807. Question — How do you know that ? 
Answer — I heard so. 

1808. Question — Did you see the crowd at any time? 
Answer — Yes. 

1809. Question — Before the election? 
Answer — Yes. 

1810. Question— Where? 

Answer — Passing up and down the road by my house, most every Sat- 
urday evening, to find out leading Republican men to kill. 

1811. Question — Where did they stop? 
Answer — Dr. Haddin's was their meeting place. 

1812. Question — To your knowledge, how often did they meet ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

1813. Question — How do you know they met there at all? 

Answer — Several told me so. I passed there myself once, and they 
called me and wanted me to come in and join them as a Democrat. 

1814. Question— Who did ? 

Answer — Dr. Haddin himself called me. 

1815. Question — Do you know of any threats made against Re- 
publicans ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1816. Question — What were they? 



132 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — To kill all the leading men of the Republican party ; that 
was the threat. 

1817. Question — Did you vote? 
Answer — Yes. 

1818. Question— Where? 

Answer — Here at Newberry. Two-^veeks before the election I left and 
went to Columbia. 

1819. Question— What for ? 

Answer — To keep from being killed ; I was afraid my life would be 
taken. 

1820. Question — What reasons had you for being afraid? 

Answer — I heard several threats, and because of the reports circulated. 

1821. Question — Do you know of other threats to keep people from 
voting as they chose? 

Answer — No. (Statement by witness)— Dr. Haddin passed me in the 
road and stopped me. He got out of his buggy and came back to my 
wagon, and said : " AVade, they say you have a pistol, and if you have, 
give it to me and I will give it to Mr. Suber." 

1822. Question— Who was that? 

Answer — Mr. Cager Suber, the man I stayed with. I asked him (Dr. 
Haddin ) what he came to me for. He said : " You must give it up, as 
it is dangerous, for you see that Nance, Randolph and Johnson have 
been sent up, and there Avill be a damned sight more." Then he left me. 

1823. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said that at Dr. Haddin's a 
Club met ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1824. Question— What kind of a Club? 
Answer — Democrat Club. 

1825. Question (by Mr. Wright) — What was the name of the Club? 
Answer — That was the name they gave it. 

1826. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you hear of their committing 
any outrages? 

Answer — No. Fitzgerald, Murtishaw, Owens Turnipseed and Dick 
Gist, belonged to that Club. 

1827. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — They were said to be the 
Ku Klux? 

Answer — I don't know what they called them. 

1828. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — How do you know that these men 
belonged to that Club ? 

Answer — It was so given to me. 

1829. Question— By Avhom ? 
Answer — The whole settlement. 

1830. Question — Name one person ? 
Answer — It was among tlie colored people. 

1831. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Do you know that they belonged to 
that Club ? 

Answer — It was the general understanding. 

1832. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You saw them visiting there ? 
Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONATv DISTRICT, S. C. 133 



James Titus, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1833. Question — Do you live in this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1834. Question — In what portion of the County ? 
Answer — Eleven miles from here, towards Broad Kiver. 

1835. Question — In what direction is Broad lliver from the court 
house ? 

Answer — East. 

1836. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed in that 
neighborhood before the election ? 

Answer — I know of a heap of threats. 

1837. Question — State them ? 

Answer— They threatened to kill all the Republicans, to prevent us 
from going to the election. They said they would, on the day of election, 
make the roads stink with us black men. They called me the head League 
man. 

1838. Question — Did you belong to the League ? 

Answer — No ; but was called the head League man, because I could 
read some. 

1839. Question — They said they would make the roads stink with 
black men, on the day of election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1840. Question — Do you know any of those parties? 

Answer — Washington Calamose, Owens Turnipseed and Dick Gist. 

1841. Question — Did those men go on the road? 
Answer — I saw them passing in companies. 

1842. Question — Were they armed ? 

Answer — They had pistols, but I couldn't see them ; but after passing 
me, they fired them oft'. 

1843. Question — This w^as before the election? 
Answer — Yes. 

1844. Question — The day of the election was the day on which they 
were going to make the roads stink with black men ? 

Answer — Yes ; a great many of us didn't go, on that account. 

1845. Question — You believe that was said for the purpose of intimi- 
dating and keeping colored people from the polls ? 

Answer — Yes ; I believe that, and nothing else. Many didn't go to 
the polls. 

1846. Question — Was that report a general rumor ? 

Answer — Yes ; many were afraid to go. My brother wanted to vote, 
and was afraid to go. 

1847. Question — Do you know whether those men did go on the road 
on election day ? 

Answer — I didn't see them. I didn't see any one trying to keep the 
people away ; but if they had not taken Gist, I believe it would have 
been so. 

1848. Question— The news had been over the country, and the colored 
people were afraid to go out ? 

Answer — Yes ; it was so all over the place. 



134 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1849. Question — Do you know anything else ; know about any shoot- 
ing, &c. ? 

Answer — No ; I stayed at home, generally. I was afraid, as my life 
was threatened, for every one told me my life was threatened, for being a 
League man, although I was not one. 

1850. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You stated that Mr. Calamose, 
Owens Turnipseed, Dick Gist, and others, said they would make the roads 
stink, on election day, with the colored j)eople ; did you hear either of 
them say it ? 

Answer — That was the common talk, and general rumor. 

1851. Question — Did any one come to you, and threaten to kill you, 
if you came to the election? 

Answer — No ; I heard it by general rumor. 

1852. Question —Do you know of any one that didn't vote at the last 
election ? 

Answer — Lots of them didn't ; my brother didn't, because he was 
afraid. 

1853. Question — Any one else ? 
Answer — Yes ; Judge Knight and others. 

1854. Question — Do you know those persons who did not vote? 
Answer — Yes; there were so many others I can't call their names. 

They were afraid to go. 

1855. Question (by Mr. Crews) — You know this ? 
Answer — Yes ; on the same place I lived, they didn't vote. 

1856. Question (by Mr, Smalls) — Who was it that told you that they 
said they were going to kill you, because you were a leading League 
man ? 

Answer — Bob Turnipseed told me that Owens Turnipseed told his 
brother that a white man told him he was going to cut my head off. 

1857. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Is Bob Turnipseed a white or black 
man? 

Answer — A black man. 

On motion, at 2 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow, 
at 9 A. M. 



KOOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Thied Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 28, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A. M. 

Charles Turnipseed, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1.858. Question — What is your name ? 

Answer — Charles Turnipseed. 

1859. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 

Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 135 



1860. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Ever since I was four years old. 

1861. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — Yes, 

1862. Question — At what poll did you vote ? 
Answer — At Tom Wadlington's. The box was there. 

1863. Question — How far was that from the court house? 
Answer — About ten miles. 

1864. Question — Was there or was there not any disturbance at that 
poll ? 

Answer — No ; there was not. 

1865. Question — Did any one want to keep you from voting? 
Answer — No ; not me. 

1866. Question — You voted as you pleased ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1867. Question — Do you know of any organization there, organized 
for the purpose of intimidating persons and keeping them from voting ? 

Answer — No. It was said there was, at other places, declaring that if 
they voted they w^ould have to leave. 

1868. Question— Who said that ? 

Answer — The colored people on Owens Turnipseed's place said that if 
any came to vote they could not stay on his place ; and none came. 

1869. Question — How d: you know that ? 
Answer — They told me so. 

1870. Question — Did you go and vote ? 
Answer — I voted. 

1871. Question — How far did you have to go to vote from where you 
lived ? 

Answer — Three miles. 

1872. Question— What ticket did you vote? 
Answer — The Radical ticket. 

1873. Question — How many j)ersons were working where you worked ? 
Answer — About eight. 

1874. Question — Did all the men there vote ? 
Answer — All but one. 

1875. Question — Why did he not vote? 
Answer — He would not come. 

1876. Question — Were you in town the day Associate Justice Hoge 
spoke ? 

Answer — No. 

1877. Question — Do you know of any persons round there that were 
whipped, before the election ? 

Answer — No. 

1878. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed round the 
country by either white or colored people ? 

Answer — No. 

1879. Question — Was everything peaceable before the election ? 
Answer — No. I could hear that companies were about, and the white 

people were raging about the colored people. 

1880. Question— What for ? 
Answer — To keep them from voting. 



136 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1881. Question — "Was that in your neigliborliood ? What were tliey 
doing ? 

Answer — They were raiding about. 

1882. Question— Who ? 
Answer — The white people. 

1883. Question — Did you see them ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1884. Question — How were they dressed ? 
Answer — In common clothes. 

1885. Question — About how many together? 
Answer — Eight or ten or fifteen in a gang. 

1886. Question — Did you ever see them stop anywhere? 
AnsAver — No. 

1887. Question — Were they armed? 

Answer — I could hear them shooting, but I did not see their arms. 

1888. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said you would hear of raids 
made among the blacks to keep them from voting ; who told you ? 

Answer — I could see them riding at night. 

1889. Question — How did you know their object? 

Answer — I heard them talking like they wanted to kill some one. 

1890. Question — What did they say ? 

Answer — Nothing particular about it, oidy they were going to such a 
place, at such a night, to waylay some one. 

1891. Question — Did you know any of these white persons ? 
Answer — I knew one ; it was Mr. Owens Turnipseed. 

1892. Question — You saw him ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1893. Question — Is he the one that said he was going to waylay some 
one ? 

Answer— Yes ; that they were going to lie around Dick Gist's planta- 
tion. 

1894. Question — You heard Owens Turnipseed say that? 
Answer — Yes. 

1895. Question — Whom did he speak to ; to you ? 
Answer — No. 

1896. Question — Did he say for Avhat purpose ? 
Answer — No. 

1897. Question — Do you know of this party doing any mischief in 
the country? 

Answer — No. 

1898. Question — Did they see you while they were riding about at 
night ? 

Answer — No ; I lived Avith Owens Turnipseed. I Avas there several 
nights Avhen he rode off, and others rode oft' Avith him. He came back 
before day. 

1899. Question — Did you never see colored persons going about in the 
night ? 

AnsAver — No. 

1900. Question — Did you see them going about in the day time ? 
Answer — Yes ; in the day time. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 137 



Lewis Graham, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1901. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Lewis Graham. 

1902. Question — Do you live in this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1903. Question — How long have you resided here ? 
Answer — Born and bred in Newberry. 

1904. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — No. 

1905. Question— Why not ? 
Answer — I Avas afraid to come. 

1906. Question — Why afraid to come? 

Answer — Because I heard that my life was threatened. 

1907. Question — Who told you that your life Avas threatened ? 
Answer — A fellow-servant that lived with me. He had a little boy 

that stayed at Major Wadlington's. This little boy heard Major Wad- 
lington say to Mr. Dick Gist, that two of his old black men would go up 
in a few days, but he hated it mighty bad. I said to my fellow-servant, 
"Are 

1908. Question — No matter, that was heard ; where is that little boy 
that heard it ? 

Answer — He is in the settlement, with his uncle. 

1909. Question — How far is that from here, to Avhere that boy is ? 
Answer — About eleven miles. 

1910. Question — Then, you did not vote because you were afraid to 
come ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1911. Question — How many of the colored people down there didn't 
come to vote ? 

Answer — Fred Rutherford and myself; I can't think of the others. 
There were several that didn't come. 

1912. Question — Did you have a conversation with them, about com- 
ing or not coming? 

Answer — No ; I had no conversation with them about it. 

1913. Question — Did you hear any threats of turning people off for 
voting ? 

Answer — I heard of them. 

1914. Question — As a general rumor? 

Answer — Yes ; that if they voted the Republican ticket, they should 
not stay on their places. 

1915. Question — Do you know of any turned off for voting? 
Answer — I know some that were not hired this year, because they 

voted. 

1916. Question — How do you know that? 

Answer — From them, because they moved off of their places. 

1917. Question — Do you know of any outrages, such as whipping or 
shooting, committed upon the people on account of voting, or of any at- 
tempts to keep them from voting ? 

Answer— Only Johnson Stuart. Major Wadlington said to me, the 
18 



138 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



next morning after Johnson Avas killed, " If lie had stayed home the day 
the barbecue was at Maybinton, he Avould have been a live man to-day — ■ 
if he had stayed at home, and had not gone there to fight against Avhite 
people." 

1918. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You stated that a little boy heard 
Major Wadlington say to Mr. Gist, that one of his old farmers would go 
up in a few days, and from that you didn't vote? had "you other grounds? 

Answer — No ; no other. 

Peter Glyrap, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

1919. Question — What is your name in full ? 
Answer — Peter Glymp. 

1920. Question — Do you live in this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1921. Question — How long have you lived here? 
Answer — About twenty-five years. 

1922. Question — Did you vote at the last election ? 
Answer — No. 

1923. Question— Why not? 

Answer — I heard threats made that if I voted I could not stay on the 
plantation. 

1924. Question — Who made those threats? 
Answer — Andrew Kromer. 

1925. Question — What did he say ? 

AnsAver — He told me if I went to the election I could not stay on his 
land. 

1926. Question— Do you know of any other persons kept away from 
voting by threats ? 

Answer — Yes ; several. 

1927. Question— How many ? 
Answer — Some ten or twelve or more. 

19"^8. Question — To your certain knowledge, ten or twelve were kept 
away ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1929. Question — Did they all live on the same place ? 

Answer — No ; they said such threats were made, and they could not 
come to vote. 

1930. Question — Do you know anything about the Ku Klux? 
Answer — I have heard of several they called Ku Klux. I don't know 

anything about them myself. I was interrupted on one Sabbath day, by 
two men, and I wanted them to let me alone, as I was behaving myself. 

1931. Question — Who were they that interrupted you? 

Answer — Mr. Dave Brown and Joe Abrams. The latter was on a 
mule, and Brown told him to catch me. 

1932. Question — What did they say to you ? 

Answer — That I must give my name whether I was a Radical or a 
Democrat. I told him I Avas a mau. He said he Avould make me tell 
some day. I told him I would go out of his house, and I started to go 
out, and he came up to put his hands on me. I told him not to, and he 
said, " Wait until the lines are drawn, and you will see." I then ran off", 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 139 



and Mr. Abrams came after me on his mule, and tried to catch me, but 
he didn't, and I got to my plantation. 

1933. Question — Do you knoAV of any one having been killed or 
whipped for their political opinions ? 

Answer — No ; not particularly. 

1934. Question (by ]Mr. Wright) — Who was it you said told you that 
you must tell whether you were a Radical or Democrat ? 

Answer — Dave Brown. 

1935. Question — Who was with him ? 
Answer — Mr. Joe Abrams was there. 

1936. Question — Are you a leader in the church? 
Answer — No ; I am a professor — I mean, a member. 

1937. Question — How far did they chase you ? 
Answer — Not more than half a mile. 

1938. Question — Was this before the election? 
Answer — Yes. 

1939. Question — About how long before the election? 

Answer — I can't recollect. No, I think it was after ; I am very for- 
getful. I don't remember of going to the election before they chased 
me. 

1940. Question — They scared you, then, and you didn't vote? 
Answer — That was it. I heard threats made, and they asked me about 

going to vote. There was a fuss about my going to vote. 

1941. Question — Was or was not that their general practice, to keep 
the people from voting by going around scaring them ? 

Answer — Yes ; colored people had to hunt around to find the time of 
voting. 

1942. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, do you or 
do you not think that a great many were kept from the polls by the same 
conduct as was shown to you ? 

Answer — Yes, I know it. 

Fred Rutherford, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1943. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Fred Rutherford. 

1944. Question — Do you live in this County ? 
Answer — Yes ; nine miles from here. 

1945. Question — In what direction ? 

Answer — In a north-east direction from the court house. 

1946. Question — Did you live there prior to the election? 
Answer — Yes. 

1947. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed there prior 
to the election ? 

Answer — Not particularly. I intended to have attended the election, 
but at the time the election was ordered my life was threatened. 

1948. Question— Who by? 

Answer — Dick Gist. He told me if I turned out that day I should 
certainly go up, so I didn't go to vote, because I was afraid he would 
have killed me if I voted ; and he told me, after the election, that had I 
turned out I would have gone up. 



140 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1949. Question — Do you know of others he threatened? 

Answer — No, not that he intended to kill them. They took me for a 
leading man, and thought I controlled the settlement. 

1950. Question — What did you understand by his saying he would 
send you up ? 

vVnswer — He meant, kill me. 

1951. Question — Do you know of other outrages? 

Answer — No. I heard there was a good deal of riding about at niglit 
with Gist. 

1952. Question — Do you know any of those parties that Avould go out 
Avith him ? 

Answer — Owens Turnipseed was one with Gist, and John Gilham, and 
others I don't remember. I didn't know them all. 

1953. Question — Don't you believe, from the riding around of those 
men, that that was the cause of a great number of persons not going to 
the election? 

Answer — Yes, I am certain of that. 

1954. Question — That it was intended to keep them from the polls? 
Answer — Yes. 

1955. Question — AVas that the general rumor? 
Answer — Yes ; among every one. 

1956. Question — Do you know of other cases ? 
Answer — No. 

1957. Question — Anything of persons being killed ? 
Answer — That of Nance. 

1958. Question — What do you know about that? 

Answer — That day, the Yankees and the Sheriff came doAvn to Gist's 
house ; I lived there. They took Gist up that day. 

1959. Question — You say that the Yankees and the Sheriff came 
down to Gist's place that day. Were you there before they came ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1960. Question — Did you see two men come up there on horses before 
the Sheriff' got there ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1961. Question — Who were they? 
Answer — Fitzgerald and Murtishaw. 

1962. Question — -Did they stay any time? 

Answer — About half an hour. They hitched their horses and Avent in 
the house, but Gist was not home then, but came after they left. 

1963. Question — Did you hear any of their conversation ? 
Answer — No. 

1964. Question — Did they leave their horses there? 

Answer — -No ; rode them off. They made a rule that Mr. Gist would 
give them one of his horses, and they Avould ride up here, but on that 
occasion didn't do it. 

1965. Question — Have you ever seen them back there ? 
Answer — No, not since Mr. Nance was shot. 

1966. Question — Do you know of other outrages ? 
Answer — No. 

1967. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You say you intended to vote, but 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 141 



your life was threatened, and you did not vote. Who threatened your 
life? 

Answer — Gist. 

1968. Question — Say so before the election ? 

Answer — I saw from his actions and movements that he had some- 
thing against me. I said to him, " Don't you all intend to kill me, as 
you don't seem so agreeable as before?" He said, "No." I said, "I 
can't take your word for it, as you don't show me the kindness you did 
before." 

1969. Question — When was that conversation ? 

Answer — The day before the election. After the day of election he said, 
" You have several times asked me about this killing affair ; I will now 
tell you that if you had turned out on the day of election, you would 
have gone up, certain." 

1970. Question — You say you Avere kept from voting by Gist threat- 
ening to kill you, and in the next breath you say he didn't tell you un- 
til after the election ? 

Answer — I heard what their intention was the day before the election, 
if I turned out on election day. 

1971. Question — How was it possible that his telling you after the 
election of the threat to kill you kept you from voting at the election ? 

Answer — It was the general conversation that if we turned out on the 
day of election we would go up. 

1972. Question — How did you hear that? 
Answer — It was rumored and talked about. 

1973. Question — Did any one tell you that Gist would kill you hejore 
the election ? 

Answer — No. 

1974. Question — Did any one tell you your life would be taken if you 
voted ? 

Answei' — No. 

1975. Question — You don't know positively that your life was threat- 
ened before the election ? 

Answer — No. 

1976. Question — Then, from the fact that your life was threatened af- 
ter the election, you did not vote at the election ? 

Answer — I did not. 

1977. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were you considered as one of the 
leading men down there ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1978. Question — Were others considered as leading men also ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1979. Question — Was it the general understanding before the election 
that these men (leading men) were to be destroyed? 

Answer — Yes. 

1980. Question — For their political principles ? 
Answer — Yes ; that was the general understanding. 

1981. Question — Was it the general rumor that Gist and others were 
together for that purpose ? 

Answer— Yes. 



142 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1982. Question — From this general understanding, and from general 
rumor, that was the reason you did not go to vote ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1983. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — How long did Gist stay home the 
morning after Fitzgerald and Murtishaw passed that way, before he fol- 
lowed them ? 

Answer — I don't know. I was hauling corn at the time. 

1984. Question — Did he change horses at home ? 
Answer — No. 

1985. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say you don't know how long 
Gist stayed after Fitzgerald and Murtishaw came ? 

Answer — No. 

1986. Question — Why don't you know ? 
Answer — I didn't see him when he returned ? 

1987. Question — Did you see them Avheu they left ? 
Answer — No. 

1988. Question — Did you see them when they came? 
Answer — Yes ; they only stayed a little while, I think. 

1989. Question — You say that Gist didn't change horses? 
Answer — No ; because I know how many liorses he had. 

1990. Question — Then all the horses were home except the one he 
rode off*? 

Answer — Yes. 

1991. Question — Was Gist home the night before Lee Nance was 
killed ? 

Answer — No ; he came up here (Newberry) on Sunday, and on Sun- 
day evening came back home. After coming home, he rode off" again, 
and on Monday morning he was up here (Newberry.) 

1992. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — He didn't stay at home 
that Sunday night ? 

Answer — No ; on Monday morning he was up here. 

1993. Question — After those men (Fitzgerald and Murtishaw) came 
that morning, he came on behind them ? 

Answer — Yes ; he stopped a little while, then followed after them, but 
I didn't see him going. 

1994. Question — How do you know, then? 

Answer — Because he went the same course ; they tracked his horse. 

1995. Question — Have you ever seen anything to make you believe 
that Gist belonged to the Ku Klux Klan ? 

Answer — I can't say that I did. 

1996. Question — He Avas opposed to all colored people voting, unless 
they voted the Democi'atic ticket? 

Answer — Yes. 

1997. Question — Do you think that he and his partj^ intimidated the 
colored people in your ncighberhood ? 

Answer — Yes, I do. 

1998. Question — Did the people generally vote in your neigliborhood 
before that ? 

Answer — Yes ; some did and others didn't ; they were afraid to vote. 

1999. Question — Would they be afraid to vote now ? 
Answer — I think they might be. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 1 43 



Emanuel Clark, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2000. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Emanuel Clark. 

2001. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2002. Question — How long have you lived here ? 
Answer — For 28 years. 

2003. Question — In what part of the County do you live ? 
Answer — On the Buncombe road. 

2004. Question — How far is that from the court house ? 
Answer — Nine miles. 

2005. Question — In what direction ? 
Answer — About east. 

2006. Question — Were you living there prior to the election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2007. Question — Do you know of any intimidations or threats of any 
kind made, so that you and others could not go and vote on the day of 
election ? 

Answer — I know several people Avho Avere kept from going there. 
George Wadlington, who stays at the same place, was one. 

2008. Question — Did you vote ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2009. Question— Where? 
Answer — Here at the court house. 

2010. Question — Why did you come eight miles to the court house? 
Answer — They said the Democratic Society was going to meet at 

Wadlington's, at the forks of the road. 

201 \. Question — Did that Democratic Society keep the Radicals from 
going there to vote ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2012. Question — Do you know any of those Democrats who said thej'^ 
could not vote there ? 

Answer — George and Jim Coon said that none of us should come. 

2013. Question— Where ? 
Answer — Up here (Newberry.) 

2014. Question — Why didn't you vote at Wadlington's ? 
Answer — Because I didn't want to. 

2015. Question — Could you have voted there? 
Answer — I think so, but I didn't want to. 

2016. Question — Why didn't you want to vote there? 

Answer — Well, they said the forks of the road would be blockaded 
with bushwhackers that day. 

2017. Question — The road branches at the fork ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2018. Question — By being blockaded at the forks, that would prevent 
a large number of people from coming ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2019. Question — Did any of the bushwhackers go on the branch roads 
that day ? 



144 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes ; I saw tlieni with my own eyes. 

2020. Question — Do you know any of those men that were at the forks 
of the road that day ? 

Answer — Yes; Gist was one, and Joe Caldwell's son, Johnny, and 
Owens Turnipseed ; those were all I knew, but there Avere more. 

2021. Question — How many? 
Answer — Six. 

2022. Question — Were they armed ? 

Answer — Yes ; they had guns, double-barreled guns ; they were sitting 
on their horses, in the rain, at the forks of the road. That was the day 
appointed to kill Louis Wadlingtou and John Wadlington. 

2023. Question — How do you know ? 
Answer — I know, as it was said at our house. 

2024. Question — Was it a general rumor? 
Answer — Yes ; the people w^ere all talking about it. 

2025. Question — From that Lewis didn't go to vote ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2026. Question — Did you pass by those men ? 

Answer — Yes ; my wife and myself Gist saw me, but didn't say any- 
thing to me. When I got past them I ran, but they didn't come after 
me ; they were on their horses looking doAvn the road. 

2027. Question — That was on election day? 
Answer — Yes. 

2028. Question — When you went back, did you see them? 
Answer — It was on my return that I met them. 

2029. Question — Do you know any persons they prevented from com- 
ing to the polls ? 

Answer — No. 

2030. Question — Do you know anything else ? anything in relation to 
persons killed or shot prior to the election ? 

Answer — No. 

2031 . Question (Mr. Wright) — You said you could have voted at Wad- 
lington's poll ; how do you know you could have voted, if you had gone 
down ? 

Answer — I could, if I had been a Democrat. 

2032. Question — Was it the understanding among the people, that 
you could not vote there, unless you were Democrats ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2033. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — How do you know that ? 
Answer — Because several white men had been at me, for a week, to 

join them. 

2034. Question — Did they tell you you could not vote there, unless 
you joined the Democrats ? 

Answ er — No. 

2035. Question — What reason had you for thinking so, then ? 
Answer — The reason I didn't join the Democrats? well, because they 

said we would fare better than we ever did in our lives before, but I knew it 
would not be so. 

2036. Question — That was your opinion, that you could not vote there, 
unless you joined the Democrats? no one told you so ? 

Answer — I had my own opinion ; I was told so. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. til 



2037. Question— Who told you so ? 

Answer — I don't recollect, except Baylis Buzzard. 

2038. Question — Is he a white or black man? 
Answer — A white man. 

2039 Question (by Mr. Wright) — In consequence of that understand- 
ing, did not all the colored people come up here ? 

Answer — Yes ; they also said we should not stay on their lands. 

2040. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did they keep you from staying on 
their lands ? 

Answer — No. 

Adam Jacob, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2041. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

2042. Question — How long have you lived here ? 
Answ'er — About ten years. 

2043. Question — How far from the court house ? 
Answer — About eight miles. 

2044. Question — In what direction ? 

Answer — In the ISIolly Horn settlement, east from the court house. 

2045. Question — Were you living there before the last election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

204G. Question — Was there a box near you ? 
Answer — Yes ; but I came up here. 

2047. Question— AVhy ? 

Answer — Because I was afraid some one would give me a wrong ticket, 
as I could not read. 

2048. Question — What ticket did you want to vote? 
Answer— The Republican ticket. 

2049. Question — You were afraid they would give you a Democratic 
ticket ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2050. Question — You had no other reason ? 
Answer — No. 

2051. Question — If you had known you could have got your right 
ticket, could you have voted at that box ? 

Answer — Yes ; no one would have prevented me. 

2052. Question — Do you know of any one prevented from voting ? 
Answer — No. 

2053. Question — Did you see any one that was threatened ? 
Answer — No ; none that come and told me so. 

Alfred Calamose, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bi-yant : 

2054. Question — In what neighborhood do you live ? 
Answer — In Dutch Fork, Newberry County. 

2055. Question — How long have you lived there ? 
Answer — I was raised there. 

2056. Question — What is the name of the box, near to where you 
lived ? I mean the voting poll. 

19 



146 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Wadlington's box. 

2057. Question — Did you vote at the last election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2058. Question— Where ? 
Answer — At Newberry. 

2059. Question — Why didn't you vote at your nearest box ? 
Answer — I was afraid of bushwhackers. 

2060. Question — Were there any there? 

Answer — There were men standing there to cheat us out of our votes. 

2061. Question — Did you see them? 

Answer — I didn't go to that poll at all that day. 

2062. Question — How do you know men were standing there? what 
were they there for ? 

Answer — They were standing there handing the Democratic votes 
around, and saying they were the Radical votes. 

2063. Question — How do you know that ? you were not there. 
Answer — I heard it on the day of election. 

2064. Question — You intended to come here (Newberry) and vote, did 
you not? 

Answer — Yes ; I intended to come here any way. 

2065. Question — And not go there at all ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2066. Question — Did all the men on the place on which you lived 
vote? 

AnsAver — Yes, I think so. 

2067. Question — And all voted as they pleased ? 

Answer — No ; some voted the Democi-atic ticket and some the Radical 
ticket down there. 

2068. Question — What made them vote contrary to their will and 
pleasure there ? 

Answer — Gist, and some others I don't remember, were standing at the 
poll, and would not let them vote as they pleased. 

2069. Question — How do you know that? 
Answer — I heard it, but didn't see it. 

2070. Question — Do you know yourself of any one that was com- 
pelled by Gist to vote different from the way they wanted to vote ? 

Answer — No. 

2071. Question — Do you know of any one being whipped or killed, on 
account of their political opinions, in this County? 

Answer — Yes ; Johnson Stuart. 

2072. Question— Was he killed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2073. Question— AYhere? 
Answer — By the College. 

2074. Question — Do you know anything of the circumstances of his 
death ? 

Answer — The morning he was killed, Major Wadlington said to me : 
" The day they had the Democratic meeting here, that Johnson was 
marked then, but he didn't know it." 

2075. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Major Wadlington said 
that ? 



THIKD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 147 



Answer — Yes. 

2076. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you know anything else about 
his death ? 

Answer — No ; only Major Wadlington said that Johnson was bigger 
than any other man here he knew. He said he had got to keeping door 
at the poll here, and keeping back the white people from going to the 
poll. 

2077. Question — Do you know of any other outrages committed in the 
County before or on the day of election ? 

Answer — Yes ; I heard Gist say (I was within fifteen steps of him 
when he said it) that Fred just saved his life. 

2078. Question — Was that before the election ? 

Answer — No ; after the election was over. He said he had men de- 
termined to kill him that day, if he had come to vote. 

2079. Question — Gist said so ? 
Answer — Yes ; I heard it myself. 

2080. Question — What else do you know ? 

Answer — He said that every one he had taken for his friends, and 
thouglit would not vote, were the very ones that voted. 

2081. Question — You mean Gist said so? 
Answer — Yes. 

2082. Question— What else? 

Answer — He said if he had five hundred dollars, he would not have 
begrudged giving it to Fred not to have voted that ticket. 

2083. Question — Gist said so ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2084. Question — Do you know anything else ? 

Answer — He said that night that they should all leave his place, as 
they might as well have broken his neck as to have voted the Radical 
ticket. 

2085. Question— What else? 
Answer — Nothing else. 

Wright Rutherford, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2086. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Wright Rutherford. 

2087. Question —How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — I was raised here. 

2088. Question — Did you vote at the last election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2089. Question— Where ? 
Answer — At Newberry. 

2090. Question — How far did you live from the court houss ? 
Answer — Nine miles. 

2091. Question — Was there any poll nearer? 
Answer — Yes. 

2092. Question — Why did you not vote there ? 
Answer — I didn't think justice would be done. 

2093. Question — What was your reason for thinking so ? 



148 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I knew the men that were going to attend the box would not 
do right. 

2094. Question — What reason had you to think so? 

Answer — Because I heard them telling and persuading other men to 
come and vote the Democratic ticket ; that they would be sale in voting 
that ticket. 

2095. Question — Do you know of threats made to keep them from 
voting, or cause them to vote the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — They said that Dick Gist, and other men, Avould v/aylay the 
road, and play hell with us. 

2096. Question — When did they say they were going to do that? 
Answer — On election day. 

2097. Question — Did you hear any one say so ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2098. Question— Who ? 
Answer — Major Gist and others. 

2099. Question — Was that the general understanding among the peo- 
ple? 

Answer — That was the talk throughout the neighborhood ? 

2100. Question — Did that make many stay away? 

Answer — All came that were not scared ; but there were a heap tliat 
stayed away, for several that lived on my place stayed away. 

2101. Question — Because they were afraid to come ? 
Answer — They said that was the reason. 

2102. Question — Before the election, do you know of persons riding 
around the neighborhood in the night, around about colored peoples' 
houses ? 

Answer — I didn't see any. 

2103. Question — Do you know of any outrages on the colored people, 
to keep them from voting ? 

Answer — Last August I was sick, and I told my wife to go to one of 
the houses, and try to borrow some sugar. She went, and IMajorGist was 
there. He said " Who is that?" My wife, at the time, thought he -was 
talking to some one else. He said, ''You damned bitch, I will make you 
speak to me," and he then drew his pistol, and struck her over the head 
■with it, and kicked her. I heard it, and went out, and he said, " Wright, 
I want you to take this damned bitcli in tlie house, and nuvke her behave 
herself, or I will blow^ her damned brains out." I asked him what for. 
He said to me, " You ain't talking to suit me." He said he would give 
me until Tuesday to leave his place, (I lived on his place,) and if I didn't 
go by Tuesday, he Avould know the reason. He went away and stayed a 
week, and came back on Sunday morning. I am too fast with my tale. 
On Saturday night, the speakers from Columbia (Lee and Minor) came 
there. That night, after they came, John Foster and I went out to shoot 
off our guns, and Gist's wife said we were trying to frighten the two men, 
to make them leave. 

2104. Question — What about the speakers? 

Answer — Gist called me, on Sunday morning, and said, " Wliat about 
that shooting last night ?" I told him it didn't mean anything. He 
again gave me until Tuesday to leave. I didn't leave. Then he said 
he Avas coming with tAvo or three men, and have me off in a fcAv days. I 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 149 



got frightened, and went off, and left my wife thei'e. I went to Colum- 
bia, and saw the Governor, and I came back, and Gist said come back 
and go to work, the same as I had been doing. 

2105. Question — Is that all about that matter? 
Answer — Yes. 

2106. Question — Do you know of any other outrages committed, to 
keep persons from voting according to their own will and pleasure ? 

Answer — Fitzgerald and Murtishaw would come on Saturday evenings. 
Gist would furnish them horses. I saw them as many as three Saturday 
evenings. Gist didn't always go with them. He would come to New- 
berry on Sunday mornings. The Sunday preceding Nance's murder he 
came back home, and got another horse, and came right back to New- 
berry, and was here on that Monday morning, and got back home about 
10 or 11 o'clock. 

2107. Question — Anything further ? 
Answer — No. 

2108. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — When Gist came back on Monday 
morning did Fitzgerald and Murtishaw come with him ? 

Answer — They came before he did about one hour, and stopped at his 
house. This Avas the morning Lee Nance was killed. 

2109. Question — Did they wait until Gist came ? 

Answer — No ; they went a quarter of an hour before he came. 

2110. Question- — Did you know whether they met Mr. Gist? 
AnsAver — He rode on past the house, and went down the road in the 

direction they went. 

2111. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Do you mean he went the same 
road they did ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2112. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you knoAv if he caught up Avith 
them ? 

AnsAver — I don't knoAV. 

2113. Question — How long Avas he gone? 
AnsAver — About an hour or three-quarters. 

2114. Question — Did you see him Avhen he returned ? 

Answer — No ; but I saAV him afterwards. He stayed home until he 
Avas arrested. 

2115. (Question (by Mr. Wright) — About how long had Fitzgerald 
and Murtishaw been gone from Gist's house, after they came from town, 
before Gist came ? 

AnsAver — About a quarter of an hour; they had been gone a quarter 
of an hour. 

2116. Question — How long did he stop before he folio Aved them? 
Answer — Didn't stop fiA^e minutes ; didn't get off his horse. 

2117. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you see him come home that 
morning? 

Answer — No ; I was around the other side of the house. 

2118. Question — Hoav did you knoAv he didn't get off his horse ? 
AnsAver — I heard it from others. I heard he spoke to his Avife and a 

gentleman Avho Avas there Avhen he rode by. 



150 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Thomas Titus, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2119." Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2120. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — All my life. 

2121. Question — How far from the court house? 
Answer — Ten miles. 

■ 2122. Question — In what direction? 
Answer — East. 

2123. Question — On what place? 
Answer — Madison Brooks'. 

2124. Question — How long have you lived there ? 
Answer — Two years. 

2125. Question — Is there a voting box near where you lived? 
Answer — There was, about a mile from there. 

2126. Question — Where did you vote? 
Answer — I didn't vote at all, 

2127. Question — Didn't you feel like voting that day ? 
Answer — No ; I didn't understand it. 

2128. Question — No other reason? 
Answer — No. 

2129. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You said you didn't vote there? 
Answer — Yes, 

2130. Question — What do you mean by saying you " didn't under- 
stand it?" 

Answer — I didn't understand it. 

2131. Question — Didn't you hear about voting, and about the two 
parties ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2132. Question — What were the names of the parties? 
Answer — Democratic and Radical. 

2133. Question — What did you understand about the Radical party? 
Anwer — That it was all right. 

2134. Question — By the Democratic party ? 

Answer — They talked as if they were doing the right thing too. 

2135. Question — Did you know that they were trying to keep the peo- 
ple from voting the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — Yes, 

2136. Question — Did you think that was right? 
Answer — No. 

2137. Question — Were the Radicals trying to intimidate the Demo- 
crats, to keep them from voting ? 

AnsAver — No. 

2138. Question — You understood that much about the parties? 
Answer — Yes. 

2139. Question — Did the people around you generally go to vote? 
Answer — Some went, but they didn't vote. 

2140. Question— Why ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 151 



Answer — I don't know. Because it was not the kind of ticket they 
wanted, I think. 

2141. Question — What place was it they went to to vote ? 
Answer — The box near where I lived. 

2142. Question — Did you hear of persons riding about there on horse- 
back at night ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2143. Question — Did you ever see them ? 

Answer — Yes. I never saw the Ku Klux, but I saw men that did 
some killing. 

2144. Question— What men ? 

Answer — Mr. Fitzgerald and Murtishaw. 

2145. Question — Were they among the crowd that rode about at 
night ? 

Answer — I can't say ; I expect they Avere. 

2146. Question — Why do you expect they were ? 
Answer — Because they were the men that did the killing. 

2147. Question — How do you know? 

Answer — They said the Ku Klux were the men that did the killing ; 
that was what I understood. 

2148. Question — Was it the general rumor that those who voted the 
Radical ticket would be killed by the Ku Klux ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2149. Question — Was not that one of the reasons why you did not 
vote? 

Answer — Yes. 

2150. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said that the Democrats were 
trying to intimidate the Radicals, to keep them from voting. What do 
you mean by intimidating ? 

Answer — I mean to get all the men they could to vote their way. 

2151. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Do you mean by force? 
Answer — No. 

2152. Question — Did they threaten ? 
Answer — A little. 

2153. Question — They scared the blacks by threats ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2154. Question — To do what to them ? to turn them off? 
Answer — Yes. 

2155. Question— To kill them ? 

Answer — Yes. I heard this from the blacks where I lived ; that was 
the talk among the colored people. 

2156. Question — What was the talk? 

Answer — That the leading men in the Repulican party should go up. 

2157. Question — Well, did that prevent any from voting ? 

Answer — Yes ; that was the understanding, and prevented a great 
many from voting. 

2158. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you hear white people say so ? 
Answer — Only from rumor. 

2159. Question — Did you see any one that had heard themselves that 
the white people said so ? 

Answer — I heard them talkins;. 



152 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2160. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were you afraid to go out and 
take part in politics ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2161. Question — Did you believe that if you went out to vote, and 
take an active part, you -would be killed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2162. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — You heard they were kill- 
ing people because they voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answei' — Yes. 

2163. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Who did you hear they had killed? 
Answer — I heard of Johnson Stuart. 

2164. Question — Killed on account of his politics? 
Answer — Yes. 

2165. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did you hear of the killing of 
Nance ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2166. Question — On account of his being a Kadical ? 
Answer — Yes. 

G. W. Garmany, M. D., sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2167. Question — What is your full name ? 
Answer — G. W. Garmany. 

2168. Question — Do you reside in this County? 
Answer — Yes ; in this town. 

2169. Question — Were you hero a few months preceding the late 
general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2170. Q.ucstion — Do you know anything of disturbances that occurred 
in this County preceding and at the time of the last election ? 

Answer — No ; only the row here when there were some freedmen shot. 
I was out of town when Nance was shot. 

2171. Question — What freedmen were shot? 

Answer — Charles Johnson. A boy shot a negro fellow that belonged 
to Col. Renwick, and I treated him. 

2172. Question— When was that? 

Answer — Last fourth of July, I think ; I am not positive. There was 
a party here from Edgefield, with the freedmen here, and the party here 
tried to crowd the Edgefield party. It was black people shooting black 
people. 

2173. Question — What day was it ? 

Answer — I forget. There was a big crowd here. 

2174. Question — Was that difficulty on account of diftcrence in po- 
litical views ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I was not near enough to hear their con- 
versation. 

2175. Question — Did you dress the wounds of the person that was 
shot ? 

Answer — Yes ; but not Cliai-les' wounds. That day I think Dr. Glenn 
saw Charles ; it was a llesh wound of the thigh. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 151 



2176. Question — Do you know anything of the difficulty between 
Dogan and Murtishaw ? 

Answer — No, not a thing ; I was away. 

2177. Question — Do you know anything about the firing on Dan Ward 
and his party ? 

Answer — Only that I was called to go and see him that night, and 
waited on him through his sickness. 

2178. Question — Was he badly wounded? 
Answer — Yes, very severely wounded. 

2179. Question — Did you hear the firing- or the row ? 

Answer — It happened near my house, but I didn't know the cause. 
It was a common thing to hear pistol shots ; blacks and whites carried 
pistols; it was a common thing, and no one paid any attention to it. 

2180. Question — Do you belong to the Democratic Club at this place? 
Answer — No. 

2181. Question — Did you vote on the day of election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2182. Question — Were there any disturbances about the polls ? 
Answer — None that I saw ; I was here that day ; everything was 

peaceable. 

2183. Question — Do you know anything about resolutions passed by 
the Democratic Club to intimidate persons from voting the Republican 
ticket ? 

Answer — I know that during that day they would be asked what 
ticket they wanted, and if they told they got the ticket they wanted. 

2184. Question — Do you know of any efforts by any parties to intimi- 
date and keep the colored people from voting ? 

Answer — No ; I don't think there could have been any, for on that 
day it seemed as though every colored man in the County Avas here. 

2185. Question — Were you sommoned to attend the inquest on the 
body of Johnson Stuart ? 

Answer — There Avas an inquest held, but no post mortem examination. 

2186. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were you here at the time Lee 
Nance was shot? 

Answer — Yes, a mile from here, at Helena. 

2187. Question — Were you called in to see him ? 

Answer — His wife sent to my house, but I was away, and she got Dr. 
Mayer 

2188. Question — Have you heard any reasons stated why he was shot? 
Answer — No. 

2189. Question — Did you hear the citizens of the town -talking it 
over? 

Answer— Yes. 

2190. Question — Please state some of the general rumors prevalent at 
that time ? 

Answer — I didn't charge ray memory Avith any conversation. 

2191. Question — If you Avere to hear some of the rumors that were 
afloat at that time, Avould you remember as having heard them before? 

Answer — I might. 

2192. Question — AVas there not a rumor afloat that it Avas thought he 
was counected Avith the same party that shot young Ward? 

20 



154 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — That was one. 

2193. Question — Also that he was at the head of the League here ? 
Answer — I never heard it. He never held that position. 

2194. Question — How do you know that ? 

Answer — I always understood that Matt Gray was. I heard black 
people say so, and ^latt Gray told me so. 

2195. Question — How long after Lee Nance was killed did you hear 
Gray say so ? 

Answer — Oh, ever since the League was formed about here. 

2196. Question — You say it was the 4th of July that disturbance oc- 
curred betAveen freedmen ? 

Answer — I thought so when I said it, but Mr. Crews has just said it 
was a barbecue being held. There were only a few white people in town. 

2197. Question — What Avas the object of that barbecue ? 
Answer — I don't know ; I was not at it. 

2198. Question — You say you were here the night of another row ? 
Answer — I mean the night Ward Vv'as shot. 

2199. Question — What row was there with that shooting ? 

Answer — Only the fuss that occurred that night. There was no dis- 
turbance, except the firing at Ward. They all left after firing. 

2200. Question — What is the general character of Ward ? 

Answer — So far as I know, his character is good. I knoAV nothing to 
the contrary. He is peaceable and quiet. I have known him for twelve 
years. I have been right here with him for seven or eight years. I do 
his practice when sick. 

2201. Question — You say that in the case of Johnson Stuart an in- 
quest was held ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2202. Question — No post mortem examination ? 
Answer — No. 

2203. Question — Why was there no post mortem examination ? 
Answer — I don't know. I didn't attend. 

2204. Question — Did you hear a rumor why he was killed ? 
Answer — No ; nor did I know him. 

L. 0. McCracken, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2205. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2206. Question — How long have you lived here ? 

Answer — Since I was born, when I was at home. I was born here. 

2207. Question — Then you were here at the late general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2208. Question — Did you vote ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2209. Question— At Avhat poll ? 
Answer — At Glympville. 

2210. Question — Hoav far from here ? 
Answer — About 15 miles. 

2211. Question — lu what direction from the court house ? 
Answer — Kather an east direction from here. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 155 



2212. Question — Who were the managers of the poll at that place? 
Answer — Squire Roof, D. F. Suber and Wm. R. Hence. 

2213. Question — How long did you remain at the polls that day ? 
Answer — Not long. In the afternoon I was there only an hour or 

two. 

2214. Question — Was there a large crowd there? 
Answer — Not large. 

2215. Question — How many colored men ? 
Answer— Only a few colored. 

2216. Question — Aboiit how many ? 
Answer — Very few ; I can't say the number. 

2217. Question — Did you see any of them vote there? 

Answer — I paid no attention to the voting. I was sick. I was not in- 
terested, and did not care. 

2218. Question — What ticket did you vote ? 
Answer — The Democratic ticket. 

2219. Question — This was, then, some distance from your home ? 
Answer — Yes ; I was 15 miles from home. 

2220. Question — On business ? 

Answer — No ; at my father's-in-law, on a visit. 

2221. Question — Did you register there 'i 
Answer — No ; near liome, at Sligh's store. 

2222. Question — They allowed you to vote down there ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2223. Question — Did they swear you ? 
Answer — No ; they asked were I registered. 

2224. Question — What was the condition of affairs in your neighbor- 
hood before the election ? 

Answer — There was a good deal of excitement about the election. 

2225. Question — What seemed to be producing this excitement ? 
Answer — I don't know. There was a great deal of talk about the elec- 
tion. 

2226. Question— Was that all ? Talk ? 
Answer — I don't know of anything else. 

2227. Question — Did you know of any political organization down 
your way ? 

Answer — Yes ; they had a Democratic Society. I belonged to it. 

2228. Question — Any other society there ? 

Answer — Not tliat I know of; I understood the colored people had a 
society. 

2229. Question — Were you a regular attendant of your society ? 
Answer — I went once in a while. 

2230. Question — Have you any of the resolutions passed there in re- 
lation to employing persons ? 

Answer — No. 

2231. Question — Were there some passed? 
Answer — Yes. 

2232. Question — Did you see them, or hear them read ? 
Answer — We voted on it. 

2233. Question — Please state to the Committee the subject matter of 
them ? 



156 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I am not able to do that. 

2234. Question — You say you voted on them ? 
Answer — We simply passed them. 

2235. Question — How long was it before the election, that you passed 
those resolutions ? 

Answer — I am not able to say ; I don't recollect. 

2236. Question — About how long ? 

Answer — I will only swear to what I know positively ; I don't know 
anything about it. 

2237. Question — What way and means did your association have for 
the promulgation of these resolutions? 

Answer — We tried to get the colored people to join us, but none 
joined. 

2238. Question — Who did they send out for that purpose ? 
Answer — No person. 

2239. Question — Then, these resolutions were not carried out of the 
meeting, and read to colored people ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

2240. Question — The way by which you promulgated it among the 
colored people, was by talking to them about it? 

Answer — Yes. 

2241. Question — If you were to hear the subject matter of the resolu- 
tions passed, could you remember some of it? 

Answer — I don't know if I could or not. 

2242. Question — Yf as it in relation to employing colored peo])le, Avho 
voted in a certain way, and were those who voted the Radical ticket to 
be discarded and turned off? 

Answer — Yes. 

2243. Question — Did those resolutions pass by a large majority ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2244. Question — Did much discussion take place about adopting 
them ? 

Answer — No. 

2245. Question — Did they unanimously pass them ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2246. Question — Was not the association bound to stand by the reso- 
lutions they passed ? 

Answer — I suppose they were, but they didn't do it. 
[The Chairman reads from paper about employment.] 

2247. Question — Who Avas Secretary of that Club ? 
Answer — Caldwell McMorris, to the best of my knowledge, 

2248. Question — Was not one Mosely Secretary some time ? 
Answer — No ; not of our Club ? 

2249. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Were you here the day Associate 
Justice Tloge made a speech ? 

Answer — No. 

2250. Question — Were you not in town that day ? 
Answer — No. 

2251. Question — Do you know anything about the killing of Johnson 
Stuart? 

Answer — I do not only, from hearsay. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 157 



2252. Question — Do you know anything of a Ku Klux organization 
in this County ? 

Answer — No. 

2253. Question — Heard of any ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2254. Question — Was it the general rumor that there was such an or- 
ganization? 

Answer — There were all kinds of rumors. Some men were taken up, 
as being members of the Ku Klux. Dick Gist was one; that is what I 
understood. 

2255. Question — Rumor said he belonged to the Ku Klux organiza- 
tion ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2256. Question — What was the object of the Ku Klux? 
Answer — I don't know. 

2257. Question — What did rumor say ? 

Answer — Rumors said diiferent things. I always heard it was a secret 
society, and it is hard to know the object of a secret society. 

2258. Question — Do you belong to the Masons ? 
Answer — No ; I wish I did. 

2259. Question — You know there are Masons ? 
Answer — Yes ; but I have never been in their society. 

2260. Question — You know there are Ku Klux organizations, the same 
as you know there are Masons ? 

Answer — No ; I don't know it. I have heard it. 

2261. Question — Have you heard there were men in your neighbor- 
hood that belonged to the Ku Klux ? 

Answer — I never heard a man say he belonged to the Ku Klux. 

2262. Question — Do you belong to any secret organization ? 
Answer — No ; I always wanted to, but I am a fellow that can't keep 

a secret. I always tell all I know. 

2263. Question — Do you think the colored people in your neighbor- 
hood generally voted ? 

Answer — I don't think they did. 

2264. Question — What was the reason ? 
Answer — I suppose they didn't have tickets. 

2265. Question — Do you think threats prevented them from voting. 
Answer — I don't know ; I can't say positively ; probably it did have 

some influence. 

2266. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say that the colored people did 
not generally vote down there ? 

Answer — That is what I understood, and for the reason that they didn't 
have tickets. 

2267. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, don't you 
think they were fearful about coming to the polls to vote ? 

Answer — Probably they were ; I have no idea. 

2268. Question — Every man has an opinion of the past, and an idea of 
the future ? 

Answer — I have no idea of the future. 

2269. Question — You don't have an idea of what you desire, or what 
you will do to-morrow ? 



158 INVE.STIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. 

2270. Question — You don't have an idea of what you will do after 
you leave this room, (Committee room ?) 

Answer — Oh, yes ; I'll go over and take a drink. 

2271. Question — Do you or do you not think that one reason why the 
colored people did not vote then, was that they were timid about going to 
vote ? 

Answer — All on my place voted. 

2272. Question — Well, now I will put it : Do you or do you not be- 
lieve that the resolution passed in your Democratic Clul), in relation to 
turning them ofl* if they voted the Radical ticket, had an effect on them ? 

Answer — No, I don't. The intention of the resolution was to keep 
them from voting the Radical ticket. Well, I expect it did influence 
some few\ 

2273. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — That was the object of 
the resolution, to intimidate them and prevent them from voting ? 

Answer — I think that was the object of the resolution. 

Y. J. Pope, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2274. Question — 'AVere you in this County for a fcAV months preceding 
the last election ? 

AnsAver — Yes ; Avith the exception of a short time at the United States 
Court, at Greenville. 

2275. Question — Do you know of any disturbances occurring in this 
County ? 

Answer — Well, I was pretty much conversant w4th them. My 

duty . Will the Committee please indicate what particular point 

they desire me to state ? 

227G. Question — Well, do you know of the killing of Johnson Stuart ? 

Answer — Stuart, or Glascow, sometimes called. Well, there was a 
large gathering, the immediate occasion of a\ Inch Avas the delivery of a 
speech by S. L. Hoge, Avho Avas then a candidate for the position of Repre- 
sentative from this Congressional District. From the language I heard 
S. L. HoP'e use, Avhile sitting in my office near the court house, I consid- 
ered the harangue inflammatory. After he had concluded his speech, (it 
Avas over two hours,) the crowd separated. The croAvd separated before 
the usual time for dinner, Avhich is about half-past 1 or 2 o'clock, in this 
place. About 3 o'clock or 4 o'clock, (I Avill not be positive about the 
hour, it AVas some time after dinner — I Avas then boarding at the hotel,) 
from information, I learned that a colored man named Johnson Stuart 
had been killed. I did not visit the body at all. 

2277. Question — Do you knoAV anything further about his being 
killed ? 

AnsAver — No. 

2278. Question — Do you know anything about the killing of Lee 
Nance, and the circumstances that preceded it ? 

AnsAver — Yes. 

2279. Question — Please state. 

AnsAver — On Saturday, immediately preceding the killing of Lee 
Nance, Avhich occurred on Monday, not long before the election, a drunken 



THIRD CONGRESSIO^TAL DISTRICT, S. C. 159 



man, named Samuel Murtisliaw, was riding violently through the streets. 
Something must have taken place between Samuel Murtishaw and Sam 
Dogan, for, hearing a noise and looking, I saw Sam Dogan with his 
hand on the reins of Murtishaw's horse, and he had a pistol out. I saw 
the crowd separate, oAving to the exertions of Mr. J. F. J. Caldwell, and 
other gentlemen, but heard of no more strife during the whole of that 
afternoon. That night, (Saturday night,) about, I suppose, 9 o'clock, I 
was in my office, engaged in conversation with a gentleman, when a third 
party entered, who allowed me to proceed with the anecdote I was relat- 
ing, and then admonished me he had come to secure my assistance to 
quell a riot that occurred down the street. (I would say, without wish- 
ing to be understood as being egotistical, that I have great influence with 
the colored people in this place. I am a Democrat, and their lawyer in 
most of their cases, and they look up to and respect me.) As soon as I 
got the information, I went out, intending to advise the parties to go 
home, and I felt sure I would be able to get them to do so. When I 
got out of my office some fifty yards, I heard a volley ; hearing which 
unusual sound, I broke into a dog trot and went up the street, but upon 
diligent investigation, immediately succeeding the firing of that volley, 
no unusual presence of persons Avas to be seen or noise heard in the 
neighborhood of that volley. From the sound, I judged it to have been 
fired from the neighborhood of the Episcopal Church, on Main street, 
about 500 yards from the court house. After looking to see who could 
have fired the volley, being unable to detect the presence of armed men, 
(the only armed men I was looking for that night was that body of 
colored men who were said to be armed, as reported to me in my office 
about 9 o'clock,) 1 was unable to find any of them that night. About 
an hour after the firing occurred, two young men came riding down and 
accosted me, (whose names were Samuel Murtishaw and J. W. Caldwell;) 
they told me that, in their company, young Ward had been shot. Ou 
Sunday afternoon there were arrests made ( in the evening, warrants were 
being prepared in the afternoon,) of Samuel Dogan and William Boyce, 
charged with complicity in the afiair. (I ought to have said there was 
considerable disquiet of mind evinced by both white and black imme- 
diately after this aiiair.) In view of the natural feelings of persons, 
regarding this attempted assassination, it was advisable that all those 
against whom any charge of complicity could be sustained by affidavit 
should be arrested and committed to jail, and it was under this feel- 
ing that Samuel Dogan and William Boyce were committed to jail. 
It was strongly desired, also, that Lee Nance should be committed to jail, 
because persons deposed that they saw this party, of eight or nine colored 
men, emerge from his store that night, about 8 or 9 o'clock, with arms, 
going in the direction to where this attempted assassination occurred ; 
but, strange to say, the young man, John W. Miller, who had seen what 
I have just stated, (eight or nine colored men going out of the store,) 
seemed a little restless in regard to making an affidavit, and stated in my 
hearing that he could not swear that Lee Nance was in the store when 
the men came out; and, therefore, he was vmwilling to take such a step. 
(I mean, he objected to make the affidavit to have Nance committed to 
jail in lieu of bonds). For the time being, I was somewhat in sympathy 
with Miller, for in times of excitement we are frequently apt to go too 



160 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



far, and arrest persons on slight grounds of suspicion, and I thought Lee 
had better not be arrested, unless we had better clue to his participation 
in that matter than we had. He was not committed to jail. Now, so 
restless was the public mind in regard to the arrests, that at the request 
of the Sheriff, and in company with Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Brown, Mr. Glenn, 
and certainly Mr. Chapman, I went to the jail with my pistol, to act as 
guard, to prevent any attempt to interfere Avith the jail, from any party, 
white or black. We were called there to prevent any person from break- 
ing into the jail to take revenge on them. I stayed there until daybreak, 
when, all danger being past, I came up into town, ate my breakfast, (it 
was, I think, about 8 o'clock, as breakfast is had at that time of the year.) 
Just in rear of my office, information reached nie that Lee Nance had 
been killed. His wife was the old family servant of Judge O'Neall, a 
Avoman for whom Ave all felt great consideration. I advised my brother, 
fiither and Dr. Pope, to go down, and do all they could for her. I saAV no 
persons, either Avhite or black, Avitharms on the street that morning, either 
before or after the occurrence. I think I can recall it all. I cannot speak, 
Avith my oavu knowledge, anything in regard to the killing, manner of 
occuri'ence, or exact time, or the parties that perpetrated it. 

2280. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you know of any other outrages ? 

Answer — Have none in ray mind noAV. 

228L Question — Were you a member of the Democratic Club in this 
place ? 

Answer — Yes ; and Vice President of the Club. 

2282. Question— Of the District Central Club ? 
Answer — Yes ; a member. 

2283. Question — Were there any labor resolutions passed by that 
Club ? 

Answer — No. There may have been, (but I Avill not be positive,) a 
general resolution looking to the employment of laborers ; that is, in re- 
gard to giving the preference to those Avho affiliated Avith us, rather than 
those who opposed us. The impression on my mind is very vague ; I had 
rather the statement be not taken. I Avas opposed to all such things, be- 
cause I considered it suicidal to adopt any such course. 

2284. Question — Did you vote here in the village ? 

Answer — Yes. I Avas on the ground from G to 6 that day ; I Avas one 
of the committee to stay about the place and see fair play. 

2285. Question — Did you see any disturbance on election day ? 
Answer — No ; nor the infringement of any free man's right of voting ; 

all was quiet. 

2286. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Who Avas it that came to your 
office and informed you a band came out of Nance's store armed ? 

Answer — Mr. George Brown ; that Avas the only person. 

2287. Question — Was it by his affidavit that these persons were 
arrested and lodged in jail ? 

Answer — I think not. 

2288. Question — By Avhose affidavit Avas it ? 

Answer — I am satisfied that AVilliam Boyce Avas arrested on the affi- 
davit of Mr. Gilliard. 

2289. Question — Was Mr. Brown sent for to make affidavit against 
Lee Nance at that time ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 161 



Answer — I cannot say. 

2290. Question — Have the persons who were committed been released ? 
Answer — Both of them. 

2291. Question— How? on bail? 

Ausw^er — Dogan was released without going to Columbia ; Boyce on 
habeas corpus. 

2292. Question — Then you think that the fuss between Dogan and 
Murtishaw, and the firing on Ward, led to the killing of Lee Nance? 

Answer — I am satisfied, in my own mind, that such was the case. I 
would state that Nance had lived quietly here, and expressed his senti- 
ments honestly, and his position was becoming enviable. 

2293. Question — Why do you consider his position enviable? 
Answer — For a person in his previous condition, without education, 

just emerging from slavery, his moral status, of course, impinged by the 
condition of slavery. 

2294. Question — Was he not considered a respectable man by the cit- 
izens here ? 

Answer — I think he was. 

2295. Question — Then you mean to say he was envied ? 
Answer--! mean by envi-able, that a person enjoys an enviable charac- 
ter. 

2296. Question — Then it was made up by his taking a freeman's posi- 
tion ? 

Answer — Yes. He had an upright, discreet, moderate and concilia- 
tory deportment. 

2297. Question — Was he generally supposed to be at the head of an 
organization here? 

Answer — I do not think so. 

2298. Question — Was he generally considered to be a member of it ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2299. Question — Did you see any evil fruits of that organization ? 
Answer — I believe that that organization has been the cause of dis- 
cord existing between Avhites and colored. 

2300. Question — What reason have you to suppose so ? 

Answer — I compare the conduct of the colored to the whites, and the 
whites to the colored, and the friendly relations prior to the springing up 
of that organization amongst us, with what existed after it was organ- 
ized ; and after seeing the Avorking of both, I draw my conclusion. 

2301. Question — From what you have seen, not heard, do you think 
that that organization was in existence prior to the Reconstruction Acts? 

Answer — I think it was organized probably in the last part of lcS66. 

2302. Question — As you stated tliat you had seen some of the devel- 
opments of that organization that were evil, did you see anything that 
was evil or appeared to be evil before the colored people had the rio-ht to 
vote ; that is to say, discord between colored and whites ? 

Answer — I think there was. 
Question — About how long since ? 

Answer — They gained their right to vote in 1867. I cannot tell when 
I first noticed it. 

2304. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, did you 

21 



162 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



see any of these evil developments prior to the passage of the black code 
of 1865 or 1866 ? 

Answer — I don't know but some antagonism was developed when the 
abolition of slavery was pronounced an accomplished fact. 

2305. Question — Has there or has there not been, to your knowledge, 
in this County, strenuous efforts put forth to intimidate those who desired 
to vote the Republican or Radical ticket ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

2306. Question — You stated that you were a member of the Central 
Club ? 

Answer — I was. 

2307. Question — In the District Central Club were there not some res- 
olutions passed, making it the duty of every person (Democrat) not to 
employ persons who voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — If there were, I have no recollection of it. 

2308. Question — Do you remember an interesting discussion that took 
place in the Club in relation to it? 

Answer — I have no recollection of having that matter pressed upon 
me in the Club. When I said I opposed such a course as suicidal, I 
meant I did it outside of the Club-room. 

2309. Question — Are you satisfied there was some such resolution in 
the Club ? 

Answer — No ; not in the Central Club. 

2310. Question — Was there any in the Club with which you were con- 
nected in the incorporation ? 

Answer — I think not. 

2311. Question — Do you know of any paper that originated in either 
Club that was called "The Law ?" 

Answer — Yes ; I had the pleasure of looking at a paper called " The 
Law." It W'as while the Legislature was in session, and I was in Colum- 
bia. It was handed to me by Mr. B. O. Duncan. He asked me about 
it. I told him it might be the work of some individual brain. It was 
not right, and did not carry the authority of the Democratic Club of 
Newberry County. 

2312. Question —Were you cognizant of the practice of the sub- 
Clubs in the County ? 

Answer — What I recollect of that is, that their proceedings were pub- 
lished in the Newberry paper. 

2313. Question — Did you ever see any resolutions in relation to labor 
and turning off persons for voting, coming from some of the Clubs ? 

Answer — I think I have. I could not tell what they embodied, but I 
think they were on the subject of labor. 

2314. Question — Do you remember what time in the morning Nance 
was shot ? 

Answer — Between half-past 8 and 9 o'clock. 

2315. Question — Did you see the parties that morning who were said 
to have committed the deed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2316. Question — AYhere Avere they ? 

Answer — At the corner of Pool's Hotel, on Main street. It was be- 
fore the murder took place. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 163 



2317. Question — You didn't see them'after it occurred? 
Answer — No ; I did not. 

2318. Question — Was there a general rumor which way those persons 
went after the deed was committed ? 

Answer — It was said that they went up Main street. 

2319. Question — Came through Main street? 

Answer — I wont say that, positively ; they were seen on Main street 
at Scott's corner, and again in Maiu street near Pool's Plotel. I believe 
I did hear they came down by Law Range. 

2320. Question — You said you Avere one of a party that Avent to guard 
the jail ? 

AnsAver — Yes. 

2321. Question — I understand from that that there was quite a feel- 
ing among the people, and apprehensions Avere entertained that some 
Avould go to the jail to take them out ? 

Answer — Well, that the peace of the County Avould be disturbed. 
They were more afraid of the negroes taking them out of jail than ap- 
prehension of any harm being done to the prisoners in the jail. 

2322. Question — As it has been said that after this deed Avas committed 
those persons Avere seen on Main street, and that the jail Avas guarded for 
two purposes, one was for fear the colored men might rescue the prisoners, 
and the other for fear harm might be done the prisoners in jail ; noAA', to 
the best of your knoAvledge and belief, do you think that if strenuous 
efforts had been made by the citizens to apprehend these offenders, it 
could have been accomplished ? 

AnsAver — From the knowledge of the persons Avho Avere charged with 
the deed, and from the circumstances attending the event, I do not think 
it possible for the citizens to have arrested these men. 

On motion of Mr. Sisialls, at 2 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to 
meet to-morroAV, at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 29, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A. M. 

William J. Wilber, sAvorn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2323."Question — What is your name, in full ? 

AnsAver — William J. Wilber. 

2324. Question^How long have you been a resident of this County ? 
Answer— Nearly four years. 

2325. Question — Were you a Manager at the late general election? 
Answer — Yes. 

2326. Question — At Avhat box ? 
Answer — At the court house. 

2327. Question — Was there any disturbance, at the polls, on the day 
of the election ? 



164 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — None at the polls. 

2328. Question — Anywhere, to your knowledge? 

Answer — No ; for I was at the polls all day, and had no chance to see 
anything outside. 

2329. Question — AVere all allowed to vote as they chose ? 
Answer — Certainly. 

2330. Question — Were any not allowed to vote that desired to do so? 
Answer — Yes ; because we could not find their names on the roll we 

had to go by. 

2331. Question — Allowed none to vote, unless you could find their 
names on the register ? 

Answer — Yes ; that Avas the rule. 

2332. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed in this 
County, during the few months preceding the election ? 

Answer — There was one. 

2333. Question — What one ? 

Answer — A man named Johnson Stuart vras killed. 

2334. Question — Did you see him killed? 
Answer — No ; I saw him afterwards. 

2335. Question — Do you know any of the circumstances of his death? 
Answer — No ; I only know he Avas killed. 

2336. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said none were allowed to vote, 
except those whose names were on the Registration books ? 

Answer — Yes, 

2337. Question — Did you have the Registration books belonging to 
every poll in the County ? 

Answer — No ; only this poll. 

2338. Question — Did not men come eight and ten miles past other 
boxes, Avhere they were registered ? 

Answer — Yes ; but they testified that they were registered some where 
else. No one was allowed to vote here, unless his name was on the roll, 
or some one testified, on oath, to knoAving him, and after that the Mana- 
gers met and compared the books. 

2339. Question — Did you meet Avith the Board from Frog Level ? 
AnsAver — I didn't ; some of the Committee did. 

2340. Question — What do you mean ? 

Answer — I suppose it was the Commissioners that met afterAvards and 
compared the books, to see if any persons voted twice. 

2341. Question (by Mr. CrcAvs) — You say some men did vote, Avhose 
names AA'ere not on your book ? 

AnsAver — Yes ; by some one testifying to them. 

2342. Question — Who administered the oath ? 
AnsAA'cr — Mr. Lea veil ; he was Chairman of the Board. 

2343. Question — Didn't some men, from Edgefield, Laurens and Lex- 
ington, vote at this box, to your knowledge? 

Answer — No ; there Avere some men who came from Edgefield, and 
Avanted to vote, but they Avere not permitted. 

2344. Question — Might they not have voted, and you not known Avhat 
County they were from ? 

AnsAver — No ; for that question Avas ahvays asked. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 165 



2345. Question — Did you hear threats, by any one -who had land, that 
if the colored men voted the Republican ticket, they would be turned off"? 

Answer — No ; I never did. 

2346. Question — Did you ever attend any political meetings here ? 
Answer — No ; oo neither side. 

John Wadlington, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2347. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — John Wadlington. 

2348. Question — Do you reside in this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2349. Question — How long have you lived here ? 
Answer — Born and bred here. 

2350. Question — In what part of the County do you live? 
Answer — Eight and a halt miles from the court house. 

2351. Question — In what direction ? 
Answer — E'lst. 

2352. Question — Were you living on the same plantation you now live, 
prior to the last election ? 

Answer — Yes ; lived on that place twenty-one years. 

2353. Question — Do you know of any threats to drive persons off* their 
places, if they should vote the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — I only know from what I heard, 

2354. Question — Did you vote on election day? 
Answer — Yes. 

2355. Question — Did any one try to prevent you from voting? 
Answer — No. 

2356. Question — Where did you vote? 
Answer — Here, at the court house. 

2357. Question — Where Avere you registered ? 
AnsAver — At Chris. Suber's box. 

2358 Question — How far was that from this box? 
Answer — About 9 miles. 

2359. Question — You say you came here to vote (9 miles). Did any 
one challenge your vote ? 

Answer — No. 

2360. Question — Did they swear you ? 

Answer — I went up and put in my ballot ; they asked me if I was 
registered here ; I said, " Yes ;" they said, " You can vote." But they 
didn't swear me. 

2361. Question — Did you see a lot of men at the forks of the road 
that day ? 

Answer — No, I didn't. 

2362. Question — AV^here were you when a shower of rain came up ? 
AnsAver — There Avas no rain that day. 

2363. Question — Were you here the day of the speech by Associate 
Justice Hoge ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2364. Question — Do you know about the killing of a man that day ? 
Answer — Yes ; Johnson Stuart. 



166 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2365. Question — Were you with him when he was killed? 
Answer — No ; I know nothing only what I heard. 

2366. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said you registered at Chris. 
Suber's box and here, both ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2367. Question— Why did you register at Suber's ? 

Answer — I registered there at the first registration, and then moved 
here and registered here. 

2368. Question — Did you vote at both places at that election ? 
Answer — No ; I voted here. 

2369. Question — Did you register the same name at both places ? 
Answer — Yes. 

David Cannon, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2370. Question — Do you live on Wadlington's place ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2371. Question — How long have you lived thei-e? 
Answer — Going on tvvo years. 

2372. Question — Do you know of any men out there wlio threatened 
to kill or drive off any one who voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — Dick Gist came over to Mr. Wadlington's one morning be- 
fore day, and was talking, and said to Mr. Wadiington that he would 
make Uncle John and Lewis see hell. 



2373. 



Question — What for ? 



Answer — I don't know ; that is what he said as I was lying in bed, 
and they thought I was asleep ; they were sitting near the fire place. 
At another time, Mr. Wadiington told me he was going to have Uncle 
John and Lewis killed. 

2374. Question— For what ? 
Answer — He didn't say. 

2375. Question — Do you know anything else ? 
Answer — No. 

2376. Question — Do you know anything about a lot of men with false 
faces on ? 

Answer — No ; never saw them about there, or anywhere else. 

2377. Question — Did Dick Gist come there often ? 
Answer — Yes, at night ; but I never saw him do anything. 

James Kennedy, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2378. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — James Kennedy. 

3379. Question — Do you live in this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2380. Question — How long have you lived here? 
Answer — I was raised here. 

2381. Question — Did you vote at the last election? 
Answer — Yes. 

2382. Question — What ticket did you vote ? 
Answer — The Republican ticket. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 167 



2383. Questiou— AVhere did you vote ? 
Answer — At the court house. 

2384. Question — What part of the County did you live in at the time of 
the late election ? 

Answer — Here, within the incorporation. 

2385. Question — Do you know of any threats or attempts to intimi- 
date, made by any person or persons, to keep others from voting? if so, 
please go on and state. 

Answer — No ; only on the Saturday when Dogan was attacked on the 
street. 

2386. Question— Tell us of that. 

Answer — I was olf a piece when Mr. Murtishaw tried to ride over Mr. 
Dogan, by the hotel corner. Then he reached his hand behind his 
coat. 

2387. Question— Who ? 

Answer — Mr. Murtishaw. In that time, Dogan told him he could not 
ride over him. When he did that, Dogan took out his revolver and held 
his horse by the bridle bit. After that Fitz Caldwell Avcnt over to get 
Dogan to go out of town, and Dogan got about mid-way of Mr. Foot's 
store door, and was drawn in there, and I didn't see him again until 
Sunday evening, when he was brought to the Magistrate's office. 

2388. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you know whether Dogan was 
along with the party the Saturday night on which they tried to assassi- 
nate Dan Ward ? 

Answer — No. 

2389. Question — Have you heard since who Averc along that night? 
Answer — No. 

Samuel F. Fant, M. D., sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2390. Question — What is your name, in full ? 
Answer — Samuel F. Fant. 

2391. Question — How long have you lived in this village ? 
Answer — I came here in February a year ago. 

2392. Question — Do you know anything of outrages or difficulties in 
this County immediately preceding the last election ? 

Answer — Only from hearsay. 

2393. Question — Were you in the village on election day? 
Answer — Yes. 

2394. Question — Did things go on quietly, or were there any disturb- 
ances in town ? 

Answer — It was the most quiet election I ever saw. 

2395. Question — Were you here the morning Nance was killed ? 
Answer — I was. 

2396. Question — Did you see Fitzgerald and Murtishaw as they left 
town ? 

Answer — I don't know either of them. I did see them. I w'as at my 
prescription case, putting up medicine. 

2397. Question — Did you see any of the disturbance that occurred on 
the Saturday night preceding the Monday morning on which Nance was 
killed ? 



168 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes, 

2398. Question — Did you hear the firing ? 
Answer — No ; I don't think I did. 

2399. Question — You didn't hear of the excitement that '^ night in 
town ? 

Answer — Yes ; I saw persons going in that direction, to see what was 
the cause of the firing. 

2400. Question — Were any developments made in regard to the per- 
sons that did the firing ? 

Answer — I can't say I know of any. 

2401. Question — Did you belong to the Democratic Club here? 
Answer — No ; I was away from the village when the list was got up, 

and my name Avas not enrolled. 

2402. Question — Do you knoAV of any efforts made by the citizens to 
intimidate colored people from voting ? 

Answer — None at all. 

2403. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did you hear of a general rumor 
afloat among the people Avhy it was that Nance was shot? 

Answer — I have heard that he was a very meddlesome man, regarding 
political matters. 

2404. Question — Pie was rather a prominent political character here ? 
Answer — He Avas. 

2405. Question — Do you know whether he was at the head of a secret 
organization here, called the Union League ? 

Answer — Yes ; I heard that he was President of it. 

2406. Question — It seemed to be the prevailing sentiment among the 
people that he was the head of that organization, and that that was the 
cause of his death ? 

Answer — I believe it was. 

2407. Question — Were you personally acquainted with him ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2408. Question — What kind of a man was he, aside from his politics ? 
Answer — I believe he was peaceable. 

2409. Question — Did you ever know or hear of his getting into a dif- 
ficulty or ti'ampling on the rights of white or colored ? 

Answer — No. 

2410. Question — Were you in town the morning he w\as killed ? 
Ansv.'er — Yes. 

2411. Question — Did it come to your ears shortly after he was killed ? 
Answer — I heard the report of the pistol. 

2412. Question — Did that seem to create quite a consternation among 
the people ? 

Answer — Not a great deal. 

2413. Question — The news spread rapidly through the town ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2414. Question — About how long after he was shot did it seem to be 
until it was known through the town ? 

Answer — Not more than five or ten minutes. 

2415. Question — Were the characters who were supposed to have com- 
mitted the deed pointed out to you or any of the citizens, to your know- 
ledge ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 169 



Answer — They were not. 

2416. Question — You stated you were not enrolled with the Demo- 
cratic Club. Were you in the habit of attending meetings ? 

Answer — No ; I didn't attend the meetings. 

2417. Question— Do you know anything of the killing of Johnson 
Stuart ? 

Answer — Yes ; I heard of it after it M^as done. 

2418. Question — Was there a rumor afloat Avhy he was killed'? 
Answer — I can't say that I heard the cause of his being killed. 

2419. Question — Do you or do you not know of some quarrels that 
have taken place near the court house, where threats have been made, 
some persons threatening to shoot others off the court house steps, some 
time previous to the general election ? 

Answer — ^I don't recollect anything of that sort. 

2420. Question — You stated that it was about five minutes after Lee 
Nance was shot that it was known through the town ? 

Answer — About the public square. 

2421. Question — From the fact of the news spreading as it did among 
the citizens, and from the circumstances of the difficulty that had taken 
place a night or two before, at which the citizens were aroused, now, do 
you or do you not believe that if strenuous efforts had been put forth, 
and the citizens had come out as a j)osse comitatus, they could have been 
arrested ? 

Answer — They were on horseback, and appeared to be riding fast 
through the street. 

2422. Question — ITow^ do you know that? 

Answer— I was standing in my store, at the prescription case. 

2423. Question — They were passing? 
Answer — Going up the main street. 

2424. Question — How far is your store from the court house ? 
Answer — About one hundred and fifty yards. I saw them as they 

passed the door. 

2425. Question — You inquired who they were ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2426. Question — Who told you they were Fitzgerald and IMurtishaw ? 
Answer — I don't recollect ; might have been some one in our door. I 

was behind the counter, at the prescription case, and saw them jiass, with 
pistols in their hands. 

2427. Question — Then you were in your store when you heard the re- 
port ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2428. Question — You were informed at once that Fitzgerald or Mur- 
tishaw had killed Nance ? 

Answer — Yes ; as soon as I inquired into it. 

24::!9. Question — With these facts, that you Avere behind the counter, 
and persons were standing before the door, hearing a noise, you saw 
those two persons passing on horseback, you inquired who they were, 
and you were informed that they had killed Lee Nance ; now, those ])er- 
sons before the door, being cognizant of the fact, could they or could they 
not have arrested those men, if they had desired ? 

Answer — The;' would have had to get horses to pursue them. 
22 



170 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2430. Question — Do you know what street Nance's store is upon ? 
Answer — Below here, (opposite court house,) on Main street. 

2431. Question — About how far is it from your store, or the place 
where you saw those persons, to Nance's store ? 

Answer — Between three and four hundred yards. 

2432. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said you didn't know of any 
disturbance on the court house steps, prior to the election ; now, do you 
know of any on the day of the election ? some one driving men off' the 
steps, and threatening to shoot them, if they didn't go off'? 

Answer — I don't recollect about the shooting, but I knoAV some were 
driven off'; some that came to vote, and were not entitled to vote, were 
ordered off! 

2433. Question — "Were they ordered oft' for trying to vote illegally? 
Answer — Yes. I was appointed one of the committee to keep order 

and see the election conducted fairly. 

2434. Question — Do you know any one who drove Sam Dogan off* the 
steps of the court house on that day ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2435. Question — Was he not a legal voter? 

Answer — Yes ; but he Avas meddling with matters that didn't concern 
him. He had a handful of tickets up on the steps, and said : " Boys, 
come up and get your tickets, here is a place for you." Then there was 
a person who wanted to put in an illegal vote, and Dogan said he had a 
right to vote, even after the boy said he was not of age, and only 19 
years old. 

2436. Question — Is that what he was ordered off' for ? 

Answer — Yes ; because he wanted that fellow to vote, when he had no 
right to vote. 

2437. Question — Was he not threatened he would be shot if he did not 
go down ? 

Answer — I don't know. He was told that down on the ground was 
the place to hand out his tickets, as it was crowded on the steps with 
voters. 

2438. Question — Was there no one else up on the steps issuing tickets ? 
Answer — No ; the Managers furnished tickets. 

2439. Question — The Managers furnished tickets ? 

Answer — Yes, they had tickets on the box, and any one who wanted 
a ticket could get it. 

2440. Question — Did the Managers have tickets of both parties on 
the box ? 

Answer — I don't recollect, exactly, whether there were or not. 

2441. Question — You say you were appointed by some party to keep 
order, and you could see these things. Now, don't you know whether 
the ISIanagers had Democratic tickets ? 

Answer — Oh, yes; I got one from them. 

2442. Question — You don't know whether they had Republican 
tickets ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2443. Question — Don't you think that man (Dogan) had a right to 
issue his tickets on the steps ? 

Answer — No ; because there was no room ; the place was crowded. 



THIRD Congressional district, s. c. 171 



2444. Question — Well, then, just because he stood on the steps he was 
threatened to be kicked down ? 

Answer — No ; but because he tried to get in an illegal voter. 

2445. Question — He was trying to get all the votes he could. Didn't 
you ? 

Answer — Yes, of course. There were no white men standing there 
electioneering for the Democratic party that way. 

2446. Question (by INIr. Wright) — By Avhom were you appointed to 
superintend the election ? 

Answer — I don't recollect. 

2447. Question — By the Managers ? 

Answer — I won't be positive. I w-as notified to act on that occasion. 

2448. Question — Notified by whom ? 
Answer — I can't tell ; I don't remember. 

2449. Question — Do you know who the Managers of Election were at 
this place ? 

Answer — I don't recollect at this time who they were. 

2450. Question — Do you know whether you were appointed by any 
person or persons who had authority to appoint you, then ? 

Answer — I certainly thought they had, or I would not have acted. 

2451. Question — Did you or did you not know whether Mr. Dogan 
was appointed there, with authority to act and superintend afiairs tliat 
day? 

Answer — I didn't know it. 

2452. Question — Do you or do you not know whether he liad just as 
much authority to act there as you ? 

Answer — I don't think he had. 

2453. Question— Why not ? 

Answer — Because I don't know of any one who summoned him to act 
on that occasion. 

2454. Question — Do you know he was not summoned to act ? 
Answer — No ; I don't. 

2455. Question — You have stated that you don't know that you were 
summoned there to act by any party or parties Avho had authority ? 

Answer — I said I supposed I was, but I don't now recollect who it was. 
When I received it, I felt bound to go and act in that capacity. 

2456. Question — ^Vell, under those circumstances, you don't know but 
what you were having a controversy with a person who had as much 
right there as you ? 

Answer — I don't think so. 

2457. Question — How many persons were acting in the same capacity 
that you were on the steps ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

2458. Question — Well, on the steps, aside from those going up and 
down to put in tlieir votes, and besides the Managers, how many persons 
were up there ? 

Answer — I don't recollect. I was the only one, as far as I know, until 
relieved. 

2459. Question — Were you relieved by a white or a colored person ? 
Answer — White. 

2460. Question — Were all the Managers white or colored? 



172 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — All white. 

2461. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you know which occurred first, 
the shooting of Ward, or the killing of Nance ? 

Answer — I can't be positive now. 

2462. Question — Were you outside on the steps, or in the court house, 
on election day, when you assisted? 

Answer — Up near the Managers, outside on the platform, below the 
first step ; the box was near the top of the steps. 

2463. Question — Who was it that threatened to drive Dogan off? 
Answer — I was the man. 

2464. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Were you or were you not appointed 
by the Democratic party, to keep order? 

Answer — Yes ; I think I said before I was the only one there, but I 
think there were two others. 

2465. Question — Were you not appointed by a political party, and the 
others by iState authority ? 

Answer — I don't recollect. 

2466. Question — Then, to the best of your belief, you av ere appointed 
by the Democratic party ? 

Answer — Yes, 

2467. Question — Don't you think that Dogan was appointed by his 
party ? 

Anwer — He didn't claim any right to be there. 

2468. Question — Did he ask you if you were appointed ? 
Answer — I don't think he did ; he must have known it. 

2469. Question — Under such circumstances, don't you think he had 
as nuich right there as you ? 

Answer — I didn't consider that was the j^lace for any one to stand, on 
the steps. 

2470. Question (by Mr. Crews)— Where was the Sheriff? 
Answer — He was knocking about there. 

2471. Question — Didn't he try to keep the place clear? 
Answer — Yes. 

2472. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — The Sheriff didn't employ you as an 
Assistant ? 

Answer — As I said before, I don't recollect who did, I paid no atten- 
tion to it. 

2473. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Didn't you go there with the express 
purpose of preventing colored people from voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I did not. 

2474. Question — Were you not opposed to any colored man voting, 
unless he voted your ticket? 

Answer — You have no right to ask that question ; but I will state I 
never objected to any colored man voting, if he voted legally. Some 
came there that looked too young. 

2475. Question — Don't you know that it was the Managers' duty to 
attend to voters ? 

Answer — I can't tell what the Managers' duty was. 

2476. Question — I understood you to say you were standing below the 
top steps ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 173 



Answer— The box was near the first step, at the top of the steps ; there 
is where the challenging was done. 

2477. Q,uestion — Do you know anything about a paper, called " The 
Law," that was published, in reference to employing laborers, &c. ? did 
you ever see it, or hear tell of it? 

(Copy shown witness.) 

Answer — Yes ; I recollect seeing that. 

2478. Question — Do you know what party put it out? 
Answer — I don't know. 

2479. Question — Was it not generally asserted by the Democrats, that 
all colored people who voted the Republican ticket would be turned 
off? 

Answer — I heard it spoken of. I have heard several express them- 
selves that way. 

2480. Question — Do you know of any one that voted that ought not 
to have voted ? 

Answer — No. 

2481. Question — Do you know of any one from Edgefield that voted 
here ? 

Answer — No. 

2482. Question — You think no Edgefield men went up the ste2>s, while 
you were there ? 

Answer — I am not acquainted with but a few Edgefield people. 

2483. Question — You say you saw this little circular, called " The 
Law." Do you recollect anything about the subject matter of it? 

Answer — It went on something to this eftect : " If the colored people 
voted against their interests and our interests, Ave ought not to give them 
employment." I only saw one copy, a month or two ago. I supposed it 
was got up for amusement. 

2484. Question — Did it strike you at the time that it reflected the 
sentiments of the Democrats of this County ? 

Answer — No. 

J. AV. Montgomery, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2485. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — J. W. Montgomery. 

2486. Question — How long have you lived in Newberry County ? 
Answer— I came here in 1853 ; fifteen or sixteen years ago. 

2487. Question — Were you here all the time, for a few mouths pre- 
ceding the last election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2488. Question — Do you know of any disturbances or outrages, perpe- 
trated immediately preceding the election? 

Answer — Yes. 

2489. Question — Do you know anything of the killing of Johnson 
Stuart ? 

Answer — No ; I was at my business. I didn't know anything had oc- 
curred, until I came down, and heard he had been killed. 

2490. Question — Do you knoAV anything of the difficulty between Mur- 
tishaw and Dogan, a few days before Nance was killed ? 



174 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Nothing that I heard, only what I saw. The difficulty 
occurred at the hotel corner. I was talking with a gentleman by Dr. 
Guion's store, and as I turned I saw Sam Dogan with a pistol presented 
at Murtishaw, and Murtishaw was on his horse. I heard no words, and 
don't know what was the commencement of the difficulty, as my back was 
turned to him, and w^hen I turned was the time I saw Dogan with the 
pistol, and Murtishaw on his horse. 

2491. Question — Do you know anything of the attempted assassina- 
tion of young Ward, on the evening of the same day ? 

Answer — Yes. I didn't see it done, but I was woke up that night, 
and, with others, went up to where the firing took place, and as we re- 
turned, not seeing the party, we met tAvo horsemen, who said Ward had 
been shot. 

2492. Question — Did they say by whom ? 

Answer — A party that was in ambuscade, right by Dr. Mayer's lot. 

2493. Question — Who did general rumor say were the jiarties that 
fired on Ward ? 

Answer — That night no one knew, only that it was a party of men ; 
but next day (on Sunday) it was rumored tliat Dogan and Nance were 
at the head of a party of niggers, which had been seen coming out of 
Nance's door and going in that direction. 

2494. Question — Were there any arrests made ? 

Answer — Yes ; the Sheriff summoned me, and I would have arrested 
Nance that day, had I found him, but we didn't find him. We then ar- 
rested Dogan, having previously arrested another one we found with a 
gun. We put them both in jail. 

2495. Question — Was thei-c considerable excitement that night and 
next day about the shooting of Ward ? 

Answer — Yes ; a commotion in both parties. 

2496. Question — Was there any demonstration made to release Dogan . 
after he was arrested ? 

Answer — I stood outside, at the corner, when they went to the Magis- 
trate's office. When they came out of the office the crowd began moving 
up ; they were making signs with their hands. I told them to stand 
back, and that he should go to jail. Quite a crowd followed us to the 
jail. 

2497. Question — Do you remember how long it was after Ward was 
shot before Nance was killed ? 

Answer — On the Monday morning after the Saturday night on which 
Ward was shot. 

2498. Question — What did general rumor say was the cause of Nance 
being shot? 

Answer — I never heard but one ; his participation in leading the party 
that ambushed Ward, and that he was at the head of it, and had the 
men up there armed. 

2499. Question — Did you see the men that shot Nance ? 

Answer — Yes. That morning I was standing by Dr. Guion's store, 
smoking a segar ; I inquired what was the news ; he said, " Nothing." 
In a few minutes I saw two horsemen come around the corner, riding 
fast. One was behind, in a slow canter ; as he passed us he remarked : 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 175 



" One of them lias got it," or " Damn him, he has got it," or something 
to that effect. 

2500. Question — Who were they ? 
Answer — Murtishaw and Fitzgerald. 

2501. Question— Who made that remark, "One of them has got it," 
&c. ? 

Answer — Murtishaw. 

2502. Question — Was he the one behind in a canter ? 
Answer — No ; he was in front. 

2503. Question — Did they have pistols dra\\ai ? 

Answer — I didn't observe it until after Fitzgerald passed to the next 
corner, about twenty-five yards. There was a negro crossing at the time, 
but what he said to Fitzgerald I don't know, but I saw this action (wit- 
ness here dropped one hand by his side) ; he rode on though, and didn't 
shoot. 

2504. Question — You didn't know, then, as they passed you, that they 
had killed Nance ? 

Answer — No. A little boy came along and said : " Some of those 
men have been shooting down the street." After that, another boy 
passed and said : " Lee Nance has been shot." I came down a little 
farther, and saw a man running from the Doctor's ; then it became 
general that Nance had been shot. 

2505. Question — Were you a member of the Democratic Club at this 
place ? 

Answer — I was so considered ; my name was not on the list, bat I at- 
tended the meetings. 

2506. Question — Do you know whether this Club passed any labor 
resolutions ? resolutions to the effect not to employ colored j)ersons that 
voted the Republican ticket, &c. ? 

Answer — I don't know, from my own knowledge. 

2507. Question — Were you a member of the District Central Club ? 
Answer — I don't know anything about anything of that kind. 

2508. Question — Do you know of any efibrts made by the Democratic 
party to prevent the colored people, by intimidation, from voting the 
Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I do not. 

2509. Question — Did you vote here on the day of election? 
Answer — Yes. 

2510. Question — Were things quiet on that day ? 

Answer — Yes. At previous elections there had been riots and quarrels, 
but this was quiet. 1 was at the polls, and relieved Dr. Fant. I had it 
so that the voters just formed a line, voted, and went down on the other 
side. There was no row or drunkenness. It was the impression of the 
Post Commander that it was the quietest election he ever saw. 

2511. Question — Do you know of parties coming from Edgefield that 
day, wanting to vote ? 

Answer — While I stood there, the Managers asked, " Where are you 
from ?" To the best of my knowledge, some said Edgefield. 

2512. Question — Did they allow them to vote that said "Edgefield?" 
Answer — I think all voted. No one objected to it. 

2513. Question — Do you recollect whether they were white or black? 



176 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — All black. I don't know how they voted. 

2514. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said that those men from Edge- 
field that voted were all colored ; didn't you see any Avhite men vote ex- 
cept what belonged to this (Newberry) County ? 

Answer — Not w'hile I stood there. 

2515. Question — Didn't you know of white men coming here for the 
purpose of voting ; from other Counties, I mean ? 

Answer — No. 

2516. Question (by Mr. Wright) — In what capacity were you acting 
when you went with the Sheriff to arrest Lee Nance ? 

Answer — I was summoned by the Sheriff. 

2517. Question — What time of day did you go to find him? 
Answer — About 3 o'clock on Sunday. 

2518. Question — You could not find him? 
Answer — We could not. 

2519. Question — Did the Sherifi' have a warrant? 
Answer — I don't think he did. He tried to get one. 

2520. Question — Why could he not ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

2521. Question — Did you enquire where Nance was ? 
Answer — I think we did. 

2522. Question — Was it stated to you where he was ? 
Answer — It was not. 

2523. Question — Of whom did you enquire? 
Answer — Of parties we met at the church. 

2524. Question — Did you go to his residence ? 
Answer — Yes ; no one was there. It was closed. 

2525. Question — You stated that you didn't know, from your own 
knowledge, that the Club passed any resolutions in relation to labor ; of 
whose knowledge do you ? 

Answer — Hearsay. 

2526. Question — Then, it was the general rumor that there were such 
resolutions in existence? 

Answer — No ; but that there should be such resolutions. 

2527. Question — That was the spirit that actuated the Club, then ? 
Answer — That I can't say. I only speak of my own feelings, that 

there should have been such resolutions. 

2528. Question — You say that it was said that Lee Nance was at the 
head of the party that made the assault on Ward. By whom was that 
said ? 

Answer — The particular individual I could not state ; it was in most 
every one's mouth. 

2529. Question — Was it not generally known that he was at the head 
of the Union League ? 

Answer —Yes. 

2530. Question — Was it not the general talk among the Avhite peo2:)le 
here that that assault on Ward emanated from the LTnion League ? 

Answer — Knowing Nance to be at the head of it, it Avas. It Avas be- 
lieved that the wdiole of the League was there that night. 

2531. Question — From those circumstances, it was concluded that he 
(Nance) was shot because he was at the head of the League? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 177 



Answer — No ; it was supposed that he and those with him were the 
cause of the firing on Ward. 

2532. Question — Was there any evidence to show he was with the 
party who made that assault ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I can't say. 

2533. Question — Don't you suppose if there had been evidence, a war- 
rant for his arrest would have been issued? 

AnsAver — The effort was made to get a warrant. 

2534. Question — Didn't that fail because they failed to elicit evidence 
to show that he was with the party ? 

Answer — I know they didn't issue a warrant ; the Sheriff" had no war- 
rant when we went to arrest him. 

2535. Question — You stated that you relieved Dr. Fant at the election. 
In what capacity was Dr. Fant acting when you relieved him ? 

Answer — One of the Committee. 

2536. Question — On what ? 

Answer — To see that the votes were cast properly. 

2537. Question — Appointed by whom ? 
Answer — Mr. Pope. 

2538. Question — Was Mr. Pope an officer? 
Answer — He is a lawyer here. 

2539. Question — Was he an officer under the government, in any 
respect ? 

Answer — Not that I knoAV of. 

2540. Question — Then you acted without knowing by what authority 
you acted ? 

Answer — I didn't act at all. I went to vote, and was asked by Dr. 
Fant to take his place a few minutes. 

iJ541. Question — What were the services you were to perform ? 
Answer — No particular services. 

2542. Question — Well, what were your duties ? 
Answer — Whatever his were. 

2543. Question — What was his ? 

Answer — He didn't say ; he didn't tell me his duties. 

2544. Question — Did you stand there, simply for the purpose of stand- 
ing there ? 

Answer— Well, for observing the voting. 

2545. Question — Were you keeping count ? 
Answer — No. 

2546. Question — What were you observing connected with the voting? 
to see the number of Democratic or Republican votes put in ? 

Answer — No. 

2547. Question — Did you report to him when he came back? 
Answer — No. 

2548. Question — How many other persons were there in that capacity? 
Answer — Some four or five. 

2549. Question — White or colored ? 
Answer — White. 

2550. Question — Standing there to observe the voting ? 
Answer — Yes. 

23 



178 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2551. Question — Were any of those parties standing there to observe 
the voting appointed by any political party ? 

Answer — Yes ; by the Democratic party. 

Henry O'Neall, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Crews, Chairman : 

2552. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Born and bred two miles from here. 

2553. Question — You were here all of last year, excepting two or three 
months in the early part of the year ? 

Ansv\^er — Yes. 

2554. Question — Did you hear any threats made by any person against 
colored or white Republicans ? 

Answer — No ; not in this District. 

2555. Question— What District? 
AnsAver — In Laurens. 

2556. Question — What Avere those threats ? 

Answer — If any man voted the Republican ticket he Avould be put to 
death. 

Mr. Bryant — I object to receiving that testimony, as it occurred in 
in another Congressional District, and, consequently, out of our juris- 
diction. 

Mr. Wright — The objection is well founded. 

2557. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — Have you heard of any 
one being turned off in this County ? 

Answer — No. 

2558. Question — How far do you live from here? 
Answer — Four miles. 

2559. Question — On what road ? 
Answer — On the Laurens road. 

2560. Question — Is that the road on Avhich Johnson Stuart Avas killed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2561. Question — Were you here that day ? 
AnsAver — I Avas at Mr. Barre's that day. 

2562. Question — Hoav far from here? 
AnsAver — Six miles. 

2563. Question — Did you see any one that had been here that day ? 
Answer — I saAV a man Avho Avas there when he was killed. 

2564. Question — Did he say he knew AA'ho did it? 
Answer — No. 

2565. Question — What is his name ? 
AnsAver — Anthony Chamber. 

2566. Question — Where does he live? 
AnsAver — At MatthcAV Barre's. 

2567. Question — Do you think the colored people generally voted 
here ? 

AnsAver — Hundreds never voted. 

2568. (J,uestion — What Avas the cause ? 
Answer — They were afraid. 

25()9. Questiou — Did you hear that ? 

Answer — I was one myself. I was afraid to vote. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 179 



2570. Question — Why didn't you vote ? 

Answer — I was sick, but if I had come, I would have been without a 
home. 

2571. Question — AVhose laud were you living on then ? 

Answer — Major John Kinard's He told me if I didn't come and 
vote the Democratic ticket, he would turn me off. 

2572. Question — When he says a thing he always does it, don't he ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2573. Question — You think he would have turned all his hands off, if 
they had voted ? 

Answer — Lots of them did vote, but he didn't tui-n them off; he found 
out he must have their lalbor. 

257-1. Question — Did you hear anything of any Ku KIux or bush- 
whackers r 

Answer — There were plenty around here. I was afraid to put my 
head out of the door, but they never pestered me. I had threats made 
to me before the election ? 

2575. Question — Did they go around shooting in colored people's 
houses, and trying to scare them by wrapping u}) in sheets, etc.? 

Answer — I heard of it, but never saw it. 

2576. Question — Did you hear the names of any of the men said to 
belong to the Ku Klux ? 

Answer — No ; I did not. 

2577. Question — Do you know of any persons about here accused of 
being bushwhackers ? 

Answer — None but Mr. Sim Boozer. 

2578. Question — No one else ? 
Answer — I have heard only. 

2579. Question — Did you ever hear a man brag about being a bush- 
Avhacker ? 

Answer — Yes ; Joe Edwards. 

2580. Question — Did you hear him say he had been one ? 
Answer — No ; not publicly, where 1 was. 

2581. Question — Your impression was he had been, from what he 
said ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2582. Question — AVere any hands turned off of the Greenville and 
Columbia Railroad for voting ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

2584. Question — On the Laurens Railroad ? 
Answer — I heard so. 

2585. Question — On this end of the road ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2586. Question — That is in this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2587. Question — Don't you think you could have retained your posi- 
tion on the Laurens Road, if you had not been a Republican ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2588. Question — Did you hear it said, the reason I was not on the 
Laurens Railroad, was because I was a Republican ? 

Answer — Yes. 



180 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2589. Question — That was the reason they turned me off? 
Answer — Yes. 

2590. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said a great many hundreds of 
colored people didn't vote, because they were afraid. You still stand to it? 

Answer — Yes. 

2591. Question — You said that John Kinard told you, if you voted the 
Republican ticket, he Avould turn you off; was that before or after elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — Before. 

2592. Question — Did that keep you from coming ? 

Answer — No ; I was sick, or I would have come. I started, but could 
not get here. 

2593. Question — You said, if you had come and voted, you would have 
lost your home ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2594. Question — You then say that those who did come didn't lose 
their homes ? 

Answer — They were his own people, and I was not. 

2595. Question^ — This is just simply your opinion; you don't know, as a 
fact, that he would have turned you oft"? 

Answer — Well, if he meant what he said he would do, I thought he 
would. 

2596. Question — You said that Mr. CrcAvs was turned off of the Lau- 
rens Railroad, because he was a Republican ? 

Answer — They all said so. 

2597. Question — Do they regard him as a Republican in that County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2598. Question — Violent or moderate ? 
Answer — Strong. 

2599. Question — Do they speak well or evil of him? 
Answer — Evil. 

2600. Question — Any one speak good of him ? 
Answer — No. 

2601. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — AVhen you say that you never heard 
any one speak good of him, do you mean the whites ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2602. Question — Any colored ones say so ? 
Answer — No ; I mean the Democratic party. 

2603. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You said that Mr. Kinard said to 
you, that if you came and voted, you must vote the Democratic ticket, or 
he would turn you off; now, you say his OAvn people did come and vote, 
and he didn't turn them off; do you know that they voted the Republi- 
can ticket ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2603. Question — How do you know ? 
Answer — They said so. 

2604. Question — How do you know that they didn't vote the Demo- 
cratic ticket ? 

Answer — I know only what they said ; I was not at the polls. 

2605. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Don't the Democratic citizens, of 
Newberry, generally, despire a Republican, either Avhite or colored ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 181 



Answer — Yes. 

2606. Question — It don't matter what their conduct has been before ? 
Answer — No. 

2607. Question — Don't they think as little of a white man, tliat was 
respectable before the war, that is now a Republican, as they do of a man 
that they knoAV to be a horse thief ? 

Answer — Yes, they do. 

2608. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do they think any less of a man 
that w^as not raspectable before the war ? 

Answer — I think they do. 

2609. Question — You said, in answer to Mr. C^rews' question, that the 
Democrats despised a Republican, white or black ; do not the Republi- 
cans despise a Democrat, white or black ? 

Answer — I know they do, for I do. 

On motion of Mr. Smalls, the Committee adjourned, to meet Monday 
next, (May 31st,) at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, May 31, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A. M. 

Bart Kates, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2610. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Bart Kates. 

2611. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2612. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Two years. 

2613. Question — Did you vote at the last general election? 
Answer — Yes. 

2614. Question — Where did you vote? 
Answer — At the court house here. 

2615. Question — How far from the court house did you live when you 
voted ? 

Answer — Six miles from here. 

2616. Question — Was there any box open nearer to you than the 
court house ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

2617. Question — This was the nearest box? 
Answer — Yes. 

2618. Question — Were there any threats made by any person to you 
about voting ; that they would turn you off, &c.? 

Answer — No. 

2619. Question — Did any body threaten to turn you off if you voted 
the Radical ticket ? 



182 IlfVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. 

2620. Question — Do you know of any threats that have been made 
against any colored people for exercising the right of voting ? 

Answer — No particular one. 

2621. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did the colored people in your 
country generally vote at the last election ? 

Answer — Yes ; all around me. 

2622. Question — Did any body ii terfere with you on election day ? 
Answer — No. 

2623. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were you turned off before the 
election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2624. Question— What for ? 

Answer — I will tell you the man I got it from : it was Mr. John Nance 
that sent me word. He said my wife had given Mr. John Matthews 
gross impudence. He had been trying to get me to vote the Democratic 
ticket. He said he didn't want any Radical on his place, but he didn't 
turn me off for that impudence. 

2625. Question (by Mr. Crews) — You think you Avere turned off 
because you were a Radical, and would not vote the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — Yes. Had I been a Democrat, I could have stayed there. 
Of that I am satisfied ; for a young white man told me if I had voted the 
Democratic ticket I could have stayed on the place. He told me that, 
after I had been turned off. 

Adam Kates, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2626. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Adam Kates. 

2627. Question — Do you live in this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2628. Question — How long have you lived here ? 
Answer — Going on two years now. 

2629. Question — How far do you live from the court house ? 
Answer — About four miles. 

2630. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2631. Question— Where ? 
Answer — Here at the village. 

2632. Question — Do you know of any threats that were used before 
or at the time of the last election, such as intimidating persons from vo- 
ting as they desired to vote ? If so, state them. 

Answer — The man I lived with wanted me to vote the Democratic 
ticket. A few days before the voting I was here. I didn't tell him. 

2633. Question— Who ? 

Answer — Mr. Pres. Campbell. He wanted to know how I was going 
to vote. I said I wanted to vote right. He said, " Vote the Democratic 
ticket." I didn't tell him I would or would not. Then I voted, and 
was turned out of my home. 

2634. Question — Were you informed by him (Mr. Campbell) that if 
you voted the Radical ticket you would be turned off? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 183 



Answer — No. 

2635. Question — Were you told after you were turned oft' why you 
were turned olf ? 

Answer — No. 

2636. Question — How many were turned off" at that time ? 

Answer — Four were working in the contract. When he made me 
leave two were sick. He told me when they got well they should go too. 

2637. Question — Did they go ? 

Answer — They didn't move fairly oft', but he wouldn't let them work 
there. 

2638. Question — Had the contract expired when you were turned oft'? 
Answer — No ; not till Christmas. 

2639. Question — When were you turned off"? 
Answer — A while after the voting. 

2640. Question — Had there been any settlement between you in rela- 
tion to the contract ? 

Answer — No. 

2641. Question — Do you know of any outrages that have been perpe- 
trated ? 

Answer — On the day we voted Johnson Stuart was killed. 

2642. Question — Do you mean the day you voted ? 
Answer — I think so. 

2643. Question — Was it not the day a meeting was held here ? 
Answer — I wont be certain, but I was here the day he was killed. 

2644. Question — What do you know about it ? 
Answer — Only what I heard. 

2645. Question — Is that the only outrage you know was committed ? 
Answer — A man threatened to shoot me. 

2646. Question — For what? 

Answer — I passed round his field ; one of his men called me, and I 
spoke to him. That man said he wanted me to keep off" his field or he 
Avould shoot me, because if I had done as I ought to I might have been 
at Pres. Campbell's at work. 

2647. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — What do you think he 
meant ? 

Answer — I believe, had I voted the Democratic ticket, I would have 
been there. 

2648. Question — Did they ever tell you so ? 
Answer — No. 

2649. Question — What did they say to you about voting ? 

Answer — I can't recollect, except I heard a man say all the leading 
men would be killed. 

2650. Question— Who said that ? 

Answer — Mitchell Suber, a white Democrat. 

2651. Question — He told you so? 
Answer — Yes. 

2652. Question — Did he tell you how you ought to vote ? 

Answer — Yes ; he said I ought to vote the Democratic ticket, and not 
the Republican ticket : and that if he had his way he would sink them 
all in hell. 



184 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2653. Question — Was that the sentiment of the Democrats in your 
neighborhood ? 

Answer — Yes, they spoke that way, and wanted us all to join the 
Democratic party. 

2654. Question — Did they threaten any violence ? 
Answei- — Not more than talk about killing. 

2655. Question — Kill who ? 
Answer — Sam Dogan. 

2656. Question— Who said that ? 
Answer — Mr. Suber. 

2657. Question— Why? 

Answer — Because he was too " damned big " here about town, and be- 
cause he was a leading Republican. 

2658. Question — Do you think Sam would have been killed had he 
went out in the country much ? 

Answer — Had he gone out and been known he would never have come 
back to town. I heard a young man say, not two months ago, that Sam 
Dogan would be killed. 

2(!59. Question — Who was it that said it? 

Answer — Jimmy Reed. 

2660. Question — What else do yo know ? 
Answer — I believe I am through. 

Burrell M. Rains, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

2661. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? and if so, hoAV 
long ? 

Answer — I have been here not quite two years, 

2662. Question — In this village ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2663. Question — Do you know anything in relation to any threats used 
by Democrats, against members of the Republican party, prior to or at 
the late general election ? or of any outrages committed ? 

Answer — I was at a meeting here, before the election, while a gentle- 
man from Columbia, INIr. INIinor, Avas making a Democratic speech, and 
he was speaking things that I didn't say, that is, accusing me of saying 
things I did not say. He said that I had said I Avould not live under a 
government ruled by negroes. I did, however, say, in a private conver- 
sation, that I desired to live under a government ruled by both white 
and colored. I asked his consent to correct him, and he granted me the 
privilege. Then I attempted to correct him, Avhen a crowd of Democrats 
rushed on me, and a knife and pistol was drawn. 

2664. Question — Do you know the parties that did this ? 

Answer — The knife was said to have been drawn by Dr. Garmany, but 
I didn't see it myself. I saw a man with a pistol in his hand, who Avanted 
to shoot me. It was said to be Murtishaw. That Avas the iirst time I 
knew there was such a man, as I had never seen him before. 

2665. Question — Is Minor a colored Democrat ? 

Answer — Yes ; he Avas deliA^ering a Democratic speech. He accused 
me of saying, that as I came from Liberia, I didn't Avant to Vive under a 
negro government. What I did say, Avas, that 1 Avanted to live under a 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 185 



government, ruled by both white and colored. I wished to correct his 
language, as he had said it in public. At that time, they rushed on me, 
and some one struck me, and they said it was Henry Grimes, but I didn't 
see him. After they got me on the steps, and went on speaking again, 
a man came to me, and advised me to go away, as there were persons 
trying to get a chance to shoot me. I went up again on the piazza, and 
two men came up to me, and one said : "Are you a Radical ?" I said : 
" Republican." He said : " The first thing you know you will have a 
ball in you ;" and the one with him caught me by the arm and took me 
ofl". They were white men, and strangers to me. 

2666. Question — Were most of the white men armed that day ? 
Answer — A great many were. I saw pistols, but I could not say how 

many ; but several had them ; I saw them as I stood on the piazza. 

2667. Question — Were you here on the day of the election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2668. Question — Did you vote ? 
Answer — No ; I Avas sick in bed. 

2669. Question — Were you here the day Associate Justice Hoge spoke ? 
Answer— I was. 

2670. Question — Did you see anything of an intimidating character 
that day ? 

Answer — Some interrupted him Avhilc speaking. 

2671. Question — In what way? 

Answer — By asking him questions ; and I think a man called him a 
liar, or something to that effect. 

2672. Question — Do you know of any other outrages committed ? 
Aiiswer — There were others, but I Avas not an eye witness to them. 

2673. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you say you heard Hoge speak 
here? 

AnsAver — Yes. 

2674. Question — Did you hear it all ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2675. Question — What was the character of that speech ? concilia- 
tory or intiaramatory ? 

Answer — Rather conciliatory. 

2676. Question — Did you hear him say anything about the Irish ? 
Answer — Yes. ^ 

2677. Question — Do you recollect the exact language he used ? 
Answer — I think he Avas speaking about the Irish and Dutch in Ncav 

York city ruling the elections. 

2678. Question — Irish and Dutch classed together? 
Answer — I think so. 

2679. Question — What did he say about them ? 

Answer— He said, I think, that they Avere the last scums of the earth. 
On account of the hallooing, I could not hear good Avhat he said, nor all 
his speech. 

2680. Question — Did you hear him say that he never saAv an Irishman 
that Avas a gentleman ? 

Answer — No, I don't recollect that. 

2681. Question — Were there any other remarks made about the Irish 
and Dutch ? 

24 



186 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. 

2682. Question — Had lie been interrupted before making those re- 
marks ? 

Answer — I don't remember whether it was before or after ? 

2683. Question — Was he afterwards ? 
Answer — I can't say. 

2684. Question — Did he not advise the colored people to resort to arms 
to carry the election ? 

Answer — I didn't hear it. He did advise them to dismiss in peace, and 
go home to work ; I heard that distinctly. 

2685. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You have lived here prior to the 
general election, and attended meetings on both sides. Democratic and 
Kepublican, have you not ? 

Answer — Yes ; the one I spoke of (Democrat) Avas the only one. 

2686. Question — You know something of the feeling of the people 
concerning the election ; was there or was there not a desperate eftbrt 
made on the j^art of either party to intimidate the other ? and, if so, just 
state what party made the effort. 

Answer — The Democratic party. 

2687. Question — In what way did they make that effort ? 

Answer — I understood they threatened to not give them work, and 
turn them out of employment. 

2688. Question — Was that the general understanding ? 
Answer — It was the general talk. 

2689. Question — That they were to be left without work if they voted ? 
Answer — Yes ; and turned out of employment. 

2690. Question — At that meeting, at the time you were assaulted, was 
that the way the Democrats generally conducted themselves, as far as 
you saw, towards Republicans ? 

Answer — That was the only one I was at, (that I spoke of,) and can't 
say. I was not there long, and have been to none since. 

2691. Question — From what you have seen, and from what you 
have heard, do you or do you not believe that it was dangerous for a 
man to be a prominent Radical in this County ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2692. Question — What reasons have you for believing it was danger- 
ous ? 

Answer — From persons that were murdered, as they were prominent 
Radicals. 

2693. Question — AYere you acquainted with Lee Nance ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2694. Question — Was he a prominent Radical ? 

Answer — He Avas a Radical ; I can't say he Avas too extreme. 

2695. Question — Was he connected, to your knoAvledge, Avitli any or- 
ganization, any League ? 

AnsAvcr — I can't say exactly in regard to that. I think he belonged 
to the League, but I am not certain. 

2696. Question — Were you personally acquainted Avith him ? 
Answer — Very intimate Avith him ever since 1865. 

2697. Question — What Avas his character ? 
Answer — Very good. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 187 



2698. Question — Do you know any colored Democrats in this County ? 
Answer — Some few. 

2699. Question — What is the conduct of the white people towards 
them ? 

Answer — At this time I see no particular difference. 

2700. Question — At that time, (election) ? 

Answer — I can't say I saw more partiality shown. I was not with 
them much, and can't tell much of it. 

2701. Question — Were you here the morning Mr. Nance was mur- 
dered ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2702. Question — Did you see the persons that were supposed to have 
committed the act ? 

Answer — No ; I live on a back street, and it was done a quarter of an 
hour before I knew it. They were then gone. 

2703. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You stated that the Democratic 
party made a desperate eflbrt to intimidate the Republican party ; Avhat 
do you mean by desperate effort ? 

Answer — I mean when a man uses all his exertions to do all he can. 

2704. Question — What do you mean by intimidation ? 
Answer — Scare them, and keep them back under fear. 

2705. Question — Now, you stated, on your oath, that the Democratic 
party made desperate efforts to intimidate the Republican party. Now, 
please state one instance where the Democratic party, as a i:>arty, made a 
desperate effort to intimidate a single Republican ? 

Answer — I could hear them going about the streets, at night, making 
threats. 

2706. Question — Did you know it was the Democratic party? 
Answer — From the abuse they gave. I have seen them, and could 

hear them, riding about and calling out, and saying : " Every damned 
Radical ought to be shot." 

2707. Question — Did you know them ? 
Answer — No. 

2708. Question — You just simply imagined that it was the Democratic 
party? You didn't know ? 

Answer — I supposed so, from what they said. 

2709. Question (by ]\Ir. Crews, Chairman) — Has any one shot into any 
Republican's house, to your knowledge ? 

Answer — I can't say, to my knowledge. 

2710. Question — Was your house shot into? 
Answer — No. 

2711. Question — Do you recollect their shooting into any one's house? 
Answer — I think I heard they fired into Mr. Gray's house. 

2712. Question — Is Gray a colored man? 
Answer — Yes. 

2713. Question — Republican or Democrat? 
Answer — A Republican. 

2714. Question — A leading Republican? 
Answer — Rumor said so. 

2715. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Were you in town the night young 
Ward was assassinated ? 



188 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes. 

2716. Question — Do you know the men that were in that party ? 
Answer — No ; I was working that night, and didn't know of it until 

next morning. 

2717. Question — Are you a member of the Union League ? 
Answer — No. 

2718. Question — Have you ever heard Avho were in that party that 
night ? 

Answer — No. 

2719. Question — Was it the general rumor that a party of colored men 
liad ambuscaded him ? 

Answer — I can't say, particularly ; I should suppose so, from their ar- 
resting Mr. Dogan. 

2720. Question — Did you ever make any effort to ascertain Avho 
did it ? 

Answer — No ; I didn't go out much ; I was at home attending to my 
own business. 

2721. Question — Was it not the general rumor that Nance was killed 
because he was one of the party that shot Ward ? 

Answer — I can't say, exactly, that it Avas ; I don't recollect of hearing 
any one say so. 

ii722. Question — Never heard him accused ? 
Answer — Can't say, particularly. 

2723. Question — You say that some time ago, judging from the actions 
of certain parties that you heard riding through the streets after night, 
you supposed they were Democrats ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2724. Question — Now, judging from the actions of this party that 
shot Ward, do you regard them as Democrats or Republicans ? 

Answer — I don't know who shot him; that is an entirely different 
case. 

Charlie Gary, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2725. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Charlie Gary. 

2726. Question — How long have you lived in Newberry County ? 
Answer — All my days. 

2727. Question — Did you vote at the last general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2728. Question— What ticket ? 
Answer — The Republican ticket. 

2729. Question — Where did you vote ? 
Answer — At the court house. 

2730. Question — Did anybody interfere with you ? 
Answer — No. 

2731. Question — Did you see any colored man interfered with ? 
Answer — No. 

2732. Question — Did any one ever threaten to turn you off. 
Answer — No. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 189 



2733. Question — Do you know of anybody else threatened to be turned 
off for voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — Jim Little. 

2734. Question — Who threatened him? 

Answer — Ke Avas not threatened ; he was turned off; he Avas told if he 
did vote he Avould be turned off; he did vote and was turned off. 

2735. Question — Do you know these to be facts? 

Answer — He and a boy came to INIr. Kibler's and worked with me 
three Aveeks. Kibler ga\'e Jim a little money, and he bought a piece of 
meat and a little meal, and AAcnt and cut Avood Avith me. 

2736. Question — Do you know of any contract Avith Kibler and hira? 
Answer — No. 

2737. Question — Hired by the day or year, do you know? 
AnsAver — By the year, so Jim told me. 

2738. Question — Do you knoAV of any murders committed in the 
country ? 

AnsAver--One man on this place Avas in the party that committed a 
murder. 

2739. Question — Who Avas it ? 
AnsAver — Harry Gilliard. 

2740. Question — Do you knoAV he Avas in a party that committed a 
murder ? Avhom did they murder ? 

Answer — Johnson Stuart. 

2741. Question — You saAv it? 

AnsAver — I saAV the men going out ; there Avere seven. They Avent by 
me, and went up by the College, and one out of that company killed 
Johnson. They had guns and pistols. 

2742. Question — Did you see him killed ? 
AnsAver — No. 

2743. Question — Hoay do you knoAv one of those seven did it ? 
AnsAver — None Avent that Avay but those seven men. 

2744. Question — Hoav long Avas it till you saAv Johnson after he Avas 
shot? 

AnsAver — Before he quit breathing. 

2745. Question — Who Avas in sight? 

Answer — I don't know all that Avere in sight. A Avoman, his mother 
and his brother Avere along Avith the Avagou. 

2746. Question — Did you see his mother and brother before the shoot- 
ing Avas done ? 

AnsAver — Yes ; they passed by me. 

2747. Question — I thought you said only seven passed by you ; did 
they make part of the seven ? 

AnsAver — Seven men came behind the wagon and overtook me. They 
had pistols, and guns called sixteen shooters. Mr. Harvey Gilliard Avas 
behind the men that did it, but he belonged to the same party, 

2748. Question — They A\'ere all armed ? 
AnsAver — Yes ; some had pistols and some guns. 

2749. Question — Hoav many had sixteen shooters ? 
AnsAver — I don't knoAV, 

2750. Question — Were they riding or walking? 
Answer — Riding, 



190 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2751. Question — All you know about Mr. Gilliard being in the party 
is, you saw him on the road on Avhich a man was murdered ? 

Answer — He was armed like the rest. 

2752. Question — How do you know what one murdered him ? 
Answer — I don't know ; I Avas not up with them. 

2753. Question — Were you not going that way ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2754. Question — Might you not be called one of the party that mur- 
dered him, as you were going along the same road with the men who 
murdered him ? 

Answer — The men passed me, and the wagon was going the same way 
that the men were going that did the murder. 

2755. Question — How do you know that any of those seven men that 
passed you killed Johnson ? 

Answer — I know so. 

2756. Question — How do you know it ? 
Answer — There was nobody else on the road. 

2757. Question — Could it not have been possible for some one to have 
shot him from the side of the road ? 

Answer — There was no way. They would have been on the road. 

2758. Question — Were there no fields or grove? 
Answer — There was a grove. 

2759. Question— What did his brother do ? 

Answer — He came dovni the street, and said, " My brother is shot." 

2760. Question — The wagon stopped, did it? 

Answer — Yes ; I saw it. You see, I was down the road a little ; not 
right up where he was shot. 

2761. Question — Do you not think a man from the woods or grove 
could have shot him ? 

Answer — No. 

2762. Question— Why? 

Answer — Because I saw them all going up the road. 

2763. Question — Do you know anything about other murders ? 
Answei* — No ; when I got to Johnson, in about two minutes after a 

white boy came up to where Johnson was, and I said, " In the name of 
God, what are those men all armed going about committing such mur- 
ders for ?" He said, " They are United States detectives." I said " Are 
United States detectives going about killing and murdering men in this 
way ?" He said " I don't know." Then I saw Gilliard, at the very 
time I spoke, going on that same direction by himself. He then stopped 
and looked back where Johnson was. 

2764. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did you hear the report of a gun 
or pistol ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2765. Question — How far were those armed men ahead of you at the 
time you heard the report ; about how far ? 

Answer — I saw them after it was done. 

2766. Question — About how long had they passed you before you 
heard the report of the gun or pistol ; about how many minutes ? 

AnsAver — Not more than two minutes. 

2767. Question — Were they riding fast Avhen they passed you ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 191 



Answer — Riding in a walk. After this was done they rode very fast. 
As tlie report was I looked towards it, for I expected something was going 
to happen, and when I heard the report I went right on towards him, 
and then I saw the horses galloping off. 

2768. Question — About how long was it until you got to where John- 
son Stuart was ? 

Answ^er — About three-quarters of a minute. 

2769. Question — Then, he -was shot right ahead of you ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2770. Question — The man had not got out of your sight ? 
Answer — No. 

2771. Question — You say Johnson was not dead when you got there ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2772. Question — Was he bleeding ? 
Answer — No. 

2773. Question — Did he speak after you got there? 

AnsAver — No ; before I got there I heard him say to his mother or sis- 
ter, " I am a dead man," and fell face downwards. 

2774. Question — Had you been to the meeting that day? 
Answer — Yes. 

2775. Question — Did you see those men at the meeting ? 

Answer — I saw three, but didn't know them. They followed the gen- 
tleman that spoke at the cars, and called him " Hog," and went inside 
and said, " Su-kee ! su-kee !" making a noise like a hog. 

2773. Question — It was three of those same men that rode by you in 
that crowd out of which one killed Johnson? 

Answer — Yes ; at the time they were going down the street to the cars 
one said, " Hold me, boys, hold me ; I want to shoot so God damned bad 
I don't know what to do." 

2777. Question — This man that said " Hold me, boys," &c., and fol- 
lowed Mr. Hoge to the cars ; was he one of the same men that was in 
the crowd that killed Johnson ? 

Answer — Yes ; I expected to see him (Hoge) killed when I got to the 
train. I followed to see them kill him, as I fully expected it. 

2778. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Was any one of those seven men 
that passed you riding a cream colored horse ? 

Answer — There was, but I don't know which one. 

2779. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Was it a milk and cider colored 
horse ? 

Answer — Well, there was a cream, or milk-and-cider colored horse. 

2780. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did the man that was riding a 
cream colored horse have a gun ? 

Answer — He had a pistol, a cartridge box and a haversack buckled 
around him, and on his horse. I didn't take much notice of the horses, 
but the men all the while. 

2781. Question — What sort of a horse was Gilliard riding ? 
Answer — I don't know, for certain. 

2782. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You say you knew none of the 
parties ? 

Answer — Only Mr. Gilliard. 



192 , INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2783. Question — Were you here the day Minor, a colored man, made 
a Democratic speech ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2784. Question — Did you see any altercation between him and any 
one else ? 

Answer — Yes ; Minor made some remarks about Mr. Rains, and Rains 
threw up his hand and said, " Say ! I Avish you wouldn't talk so." Then 
a white man rushed up, and struck Mr. Rains back of the neck. 

2785. Question — Do you know that man ? 

Answer — By sight, not by name. He lives in the country. 

2786. Question — What took place then ? 

Answer — Some v/hite men took hold of Mr. Rains, and rushed him up 
the steps by me, and Mr. Geoi'ge Garmany said, "Let me get hold of 
him. I will cut his God damned throat from one end to the other." 

2787. Question — What took place then ? 

Answer — Another young white man had his pistol out, and was trying 
to get to him to shoot him. Mr. Garlington said, " Stop that man with 
his pistol, and make him put that pistol up." 

2788. Question — Who was that man ? 
Answer — I didn't know him. 

2789. Question— What then ? 

Answer — Mr. Bas Blease went to the young man, and led him off. 

2790. Question — Led who off'? 

Answer — The young man that luid the pistol. 

279L Question — Go on. 

Answer — I didn't see any more that I can remember. 

2792. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman,)— Did you ever hear Mr. 
Garlington make a speech in the court house ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2793. Question — Is he a Democrat or Radical? 
Answer — A Democrat. 

2794. Question — What did you hear him say there in reference to 
colored men voting ? 

Answei" — I heard him say, "It Avill be to you colored men's interest to 
vote the Democratic ticket ; and unless you vote the Democratic ticket, 
you cannot expect us to be friends of yours." 

2795. Question — Anything about driving people from the polls? 
Answer — No. 

2796. Question — Ever hear any one say so ? 

Answer — Yes ; a man from Maybinton. I think he was from that 
place. 

2797. Question — Do you know really where he was from ? 
Answer — No. 

2798. Question — Would you know his name if you heard it called ; 
was it Aiken, from Abbeville? 

Answer — I don't think it was ; I don't know his name. 

2799. Question — Do you know Avhether he was a Democrat or Repub- 
lican ? 

Answer — Democrat ; he said so. 

2800. Question — What did he say ? 

Answer — He said, " We must all endeavor to go to the polls, and we 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 193 



that are not to the polls must engage ourselves to prevent them from 
coming that will not vote with us." 

2801. Question — How prevent them ? 

Answer — He didn't say. 

1^802. Question — Did he say to stop them on the road ? 

Answer — I didn't hear that. 

2803. Question — On election day did you see anybody about the forks 
of the road ? * 

Answer — No ; I came here before the day of election. 

2804. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Those three men that you spoke of 
that followed Mr. Hoge to the cars ; were they white or colored men ? 

Answer — White men. 

2805. Question — That band of armed men that passed you a few mo- 
ments before Johnson was shot ; were they white or colored men ? 

Answer — White. 

2806. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Would you know any of them now ? 
Answer — I would know one by sight if I saw him ; I have seen him in 

this village three times since. 

2807. Question — What size man is he? 
Answer — Stout man, with red whiskers. 

2808. Question— Do you know Dick Gist ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2809. Question — Was he in that party ? 
Answer — No. 

2810. Question — You think he was not in the party? 
Answer — No, he was not ; I know him. 

2811. Question — Did you see him here the day Johnson Stuart was 
killed ? 

Answer — No, I didn't. 

2812. Question— Were you at the cars when these three men went 
over there ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2813. Question — Did you know any of those men ? 
Answer — I know one, if I was to see him. 

2814. Question — Are you certain that these three men went out with 
the party that killed Johnson ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2815. Question — Don't you tliink you could identify those men if they 
were brought up before you to-day ? 

Answer — I Avould know one, sure. 

2816. Question (by Mr, Bryant) — Do you know a man named Cheves 
McCracken ? 

Answer — No ; I have heard his name ; I don't know him. 

2817. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you notice what was the 
color of the horses those three men were riding ? 

Answer — No. 

_ 2818. Question — You say you noticed one of the party remained be- 
hind on his horse after Johnson Stuart was killed ; what was the color of 
his horse ? 

Answer — I can't remember what color it was. 

25 



194 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Green Jones, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2819. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Green Jones. 

2820. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2821. Question — How long have you lived here ? 
Answer — Twenty- five years. 

2822. Question — Did you vote at the last general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2823. Question — Where did you vote ? 
Answer — At the court house. 

2824. Question — What part of the County do you live in ? how far 
from here ? 

Answer — I live within the incorporation ? 

2825. Question — Do you know of any threats that were used by any 
person or persons to intimidate others from voting as they saw fit ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2826. Question — State avIio you heard make those threats, and what 
the threats were ? 

Answer — I heard General Garlington say, in his speech at the Demo- 
cratic meeting : " We must try to rally the colored people, to get them 
to vote on our side, and if we can't do that, then prevent them from 
coming to the polls to vote the Radical ticket." 

2827. Question — Is that all he said in relation to that? 
Answer — Yes. 

2828. Question — Do you know of any other threats made ? 
Answer — I heard Paysinger (Sheriff) say : " If Sam Dogaji was put 

out of the way we could influence the rest to vote the Democratic ticket." 

2829. Question —Have you heard no other threats ? 
Answer — No ; that is about all. 

*2830. Question — Did you attend the meeting at which Associate Jus- 
tice Hoge sjooke ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2831. Question — Did you hear threats made that day towards him ? 
Answer — I heard a few words pass from Mr. Hoge to another gentle- 
man, who interrupted him while he was on the stand speaking. 

2832. Question — Did you see him Avhen he left the stand and went to 
the cars ? 

Answer — Yes ; we followed him. 

2833. Question — AVas there any party or parties that followed him 
that manifested a desire to injure him ? 

Answer — Yes ; Dan Ward and Samuel Murtishaw. They attacked 
him at the cars, after he had got in the car, and called him a damned 
hog and a damned rascal. Mr. Hoge and Jim Henderson walked down 
together. No doubt they would have done something if there had not 
been such a crowd of us. 

2834. Question — Why did the crowd of colored people follow Mr. 
Hoge down ? 

Answer — Because we thought they were going to do him some injury. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 195 



2835. Question — Whom do you mean were going to injure INIr. Hoge? 
Answer — Those men that went there. 

2836. Question — Were they white or colored men that were going to 
injure him ? 

Answer — White men. 

2837. Question — Were they armed ? 
Answer — Yes ; had pistols. 

2838. Question — Were you in town the time Lee Nance was shot ? 
Answer — Yes ; I was at the next house to the one in which he was 

shot. 

2839. Question — Did you see the persons whom it was said shot him ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2840. Question — In what direction did they go after that ? 

Answer — They turned round at Mr. Scott's store, and came up on the 
west side of the court house, and went, up Main street to Major Nance's 
and Bas Blease's. 

2841. Question — How long did they stay and talk to ]\Iajor Nance? 
Answer — About five minutes. 

2842. Question — How long with Mr. Blease ? 
Answer — About half an hour. 

2843. Question — They talked half an hour with Blease? 
Answer — Yes. 

2844. Question — How far was Blease, when they Avei-e talking with 
him, from the court house ? 

Answer — Just about two blocks. 

2845. Q,uestion — At the time those persons were talking with Major 
Nance had the news become prevalent that Lee Nance had been mur- 
dered ? 

Answer — Yes ; they reported it as they went along. They said, "Lee 
Nance has gone up." 

2846. Question — Did you hear that ? 

Answer — Yes; James Miller and I followed them on until we got to 
Martin's store, and there we met Paysinger (Sherifi'.) 

2847. Question — At the time they were saying " Nance has gone uji," 
were they making an exhibition of their pistols ? 

Answer — Yes ; waving their pistols in their hands. 

2848. Question — You state that they talked with jMajor Nance about 
five minutes, and at the time they were talking with him it was gene- 
rally known that they had killed Lee Nance, and then they went a cou- 
ple of blocks and talked half an hour to Bas Blease ; now, to the best 
of your knowledge and belief, could the citizens of this town have ar- 
rested those persons, if they had desired to do so ? 

Answer — They could with all ease, if they had wanted to. 

2849. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre)— You say the Sheriff' said, if Do- 
gan was put out of the way, the colored people could be influenced to 
vote the Democratic ticket ; when did he make that remark ? 

Answer — Just before the election. 

2850. Question — Whom did he make it to ? 

Answer — Well, Dogan was talking with Tom Blease, and Hamp Har- 
ris came up and interrupted Sam. Sam said he Avas not talking with 



196 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



him, but was talkiug to Mr. Blease. He said, " God damn you, I could 
blow a hole through you." 

2851. Questiou— Who said that? 

Answer — Hamp Harris. Paysinger then said, " If Sam was put out 
of the way, we could influence the rest of the niggers to vote the Demo- 
cratic ticket." 

2852. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said the citizens could have 
arrested Fitzgerald and Murtishaw if they had tried ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2853. Question — Why didn't you do it ? 

Answer — Had I tried to do it without a warrant they would have ar- 
rested me. 

2854. Question — Would they have arrested anybody if they had 
taken them without a warrant ? 

Answer — They have done such things since that. 

2855. Question — Was it not as much your duty to arrest them as any 
citizen ? 

Answer — I don't think so. 

285G. Question — Whose duty was it ? 

Answer — The Sheriff's, or some Constable. 

2857. Question — Don't you believe that if anybody had tried to ar- 
rest Fitzgerald or Murtishaw that morning they would have been shot ? 

Answer — May have been ; I don't believe it. 

2858. Question — Why didn't you arrest them? 
Answer — I had no power. 

2859. Question — Didn't you have as much as anybody else ? 
Answer — I had no power. ^ 

2860. Question — Are you a member of the Union League ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2861. Question — Were you jiresent at a meeting of the League on 
Saturday night before Dan Ward was shot ? 

Answer — I don't recollect meeting that time. 

2862. Question — Were you along with the party that shot Ward ? 
Answer — No ; I was at home abed, and didn't know of it until next 

morning, at 10 o'clock. 

2863. Question — Do you know the parties that were going to do it ? 
Answer — I don't know the parties, or whether white or black. 

2864. Question — Have you found out since ? 
Answer — No. 

2865. Question — Did you hear it talked who did it ? 

Answer — No. Had there been a meeting of the League that Satur- 
day I would have been there, as I am second Steward. 

2866. Question — Was it not the general rumor that Nance was killed 
because he was in the party that shot Ward ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

2867. Question — Did you hear at all that Ward was shot ? 
Answer — Yes, next morning, at 10 o'clock. 

2868. Question — What did you hear about it ? 

Answer — Next morning I heard that he was shot, out by General Wil- 
liams', somewhere. 

2869. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Don't you believe, to the best of 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 197 



your knowledge, that that party who shot Ward was a party of bush- 
whackers lying there to kill some colored men ? 
Answer — I believe that as much as anything else. 

2870. Question — They thought they Avere shooting a colored man, 
when they found out they were shooting their own party ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2871. Question — Was it the general belief among the white people in 
this town that j^ance was killed because he was believed to have been in 
that party ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2872. Question — Don't you believe that the majority of the white peo- 
pla in this town, on Sunday, knew that Nance was to be killed on 
Monday? 

Answer — Yes. 

2873. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — You were asked the ques- 
tion if you could have arrested Fitzgerald and Murtishaw, and you said you 
had no authority to do it. Now, don't you believe if you had attempted 
to arrest them that the Democrats around here would have killed you ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2874. Question — And from that you were afraid of your life ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2875. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You said you were second Steward 
of the Union League. Now, on what night did you hold your regular 
meetings ? 

Answer — Thursdays. 

2876. Question — Was Mr. Nance an officer of the League ? 
Answer — Yes ; he was President. 

2877. Question — Was it not the rumor, after he was killed, that he was 
killed on account of the prominent position he held in the League ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

John R. Leavell, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2878. Question — How long have you been a resident of this County ? 
Answer — I was born and raised here. 

2879. Question — Were you a Manager of Election at the last election ? 
Answer — I was, here at Newberry. 

2880. Question — Was there any disturbance on the day of the election 
at the polls ? 

Answer — I think not. There were some persons that sometimes an- 
noyed the Managers, such as men talking to the voters while voting, but 
they were stopped by the Managers. I was there all the time, except a 
few minutes to dinner ; we sat in a room close by and ate, and the voting 
still went on. I know of nothing that transpired that was wrong. 

2881. Question — AYere all allowed to vote as they pleased at the 
polls? 

Answer — Yes. No interference with any voter, that I know of I 
know there were parties working below on both sides ; there were white 
and colored on the steps all day working. 

2882. Question — Were there any persons from Edgefield that attempted 
to vote ? 



198 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes ; there were persons from Edgefield that did vote. 

2883. Question — White or colored ? 

Answer — Both. We allowed them to vote only for Congress and So- 
licitor. I examined the law, and I saw nothing directing us in the mat- 
ter; the old law allowed men to vote for Congress and for District officers 
in the District. We did not allow them to vote for County officers. 

2884. Question — Did you allow them to vote for Presidential Electors ? 
P Answer — Oh, yes ; we thought they were entitled to do this, as they 
were in the Congressional District. 

2885. Question — Do you know of any efforts that one party made in 
this County to intimidate another party from voting ? 

Answer — Not of my own knowledge. 

2886. Question — Do you know anything of any persons killed in this 
County ? 

Answer — I know there were murders committed ; I know persons were 
killed by unknown persons to me. 

2887. Question — Were you in town the day Lee Nance was killed? 
Answer — I live half a mile out, and as I was coming into town I 

heard at the depot that he was killed. I was not here at the time it Avas 
done ; I asked old Harvey, a colored man, if he knew who it was that did 
it. He was very much excited ; he told me all tlie particulars. 

2888. Question — Did you see anything of the men, after you came in 
town, who were said to have killed him ? 

Answer — No. 

2889. Question — Do you know anything of the attempted assassination 
of young Ward ? 

Answer — No ; heard it spoken of. There Avas some little anxiety 
about the place that evening ; it was rumored that the town was to be 
fired that night. I talked to several colored men, and they said it should 
not be ; that they had heard nothing of it ; and if so, they would use their 
infiuence to prevent it. Lee Nance had lived in my house, and I thought 
much of him ; he seemed to manifest a kind spirit. 

2890. Question — This was the night before Ward was shot ? 
Answer — The night after, I think. 

2891. Question — Did you belong to any political organization before 
the election ? 

Answer — I did not. Perhaps I am wrong; I think I Avas identified 
Avith the Democi-ats before the election. 

2892. Question — Did you attend meetings? 

AnsAver — I think I attended two meetings ; yes, I know it. I am of 
the opinion I Avas a member of the Club of this place. 

2893. Question — You conversed Avith Democrats about the intention 
of the party and politics, &c. ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2894. Question — Was it the intention of the Democratic party to in- 
timidate the colored people from voting ? 

AnsAver — Not a Avord Avas said, that I know of. 

2895. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You said you Avere Avell acquainted 
Avith Nance ? 

Answer — Yes ; knoAvn him for a long time. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 199 



2896. Question — "What kind of a man was he, generally? 

Answer — A peaceable and quiet man, and generally attended to his 
own business, and was prosperous with his business. He identified him- 
self with politics, and was rather prominent that way. 

2897. Question — Was it generally said or known that he was at the 
head of the League here ? 

Answer — I think not ; I didn't know it. 

2898. Question — He was prominent in politics ? 

Answer— Yes ; he made some speeches. I talked with him, and he 
seemed conciliatory and not disposed to infringe on the rights of any 
people, and was for peace with everybody. He wanted his party to suc- 
ceed, and probably he was the best of his color in the community. 

2899. Question — You say at the time the attack was made on Ward, 
to assassinate him, that after that there Avas considerable anxiety and 
feeling manifested by the people ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2900. Question — Then you say you met some colored men ? 
Answer — I rentember Harvey. 

2901. Question — Have or have not the colored jieoj^le here been peace- 
able citizens ? 

Answer — Generally, I think they have. 

2902. Question — I mean towards the white people ? 

Answer — Yes ; I have had no difficulty with any, white or black. 

2903. Question — Have you any reason to believe that the citizens here 
had any good reason to apprehend that the colored people were going to 
fire the town ? 

Answer — Nothing but this excitement and feeling. 

2904. Question — Was young Ward a white or colored man ? 
Answer — He is white. 

2905. Question — You say you don't know, of your own knoAvledge, of 
any efforts put forth by either party to intimidate the other. Now, by 
whose knowledge do you know ? 

Answer — I can't state any particular person. 

2906. Question — What was the general rumor afloat in relation 
thereto ? 

Answer — I heard some persons say that they were afraid to vote the 
Kepublican ticket, because they had been threatened with their lives. I 
heard some colored people say this : that it had been told them that if 
they didn't vote right their lives Avould be taken. I talked to them, and 
advised them to vote as they pleased. I had seven men in my employ, 
and I told them this. 

2907. Question — You stated that you could not give names ? 
Answer — I niight, but I might be mistaken. 

2908. Question — About how many persons did you hear? 
Answer — Perhaps half a dozen. 

2909. Question — How did the conversation arise, that they came to 
say that ? 

Answer — They came to me before the election to talk with me, as I was 
a public man. 

2910. Question — Did you say to them, it was to their interest to vote 
the Democratic ticket ? 



200 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes ; and I said, " If you feel you don't know how to vote, 
you had better let it alone." 

2911. Question — You say you think you belonged to the Club, in this 
place ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2912. Question — You attended two meetings prior to the voting? 
Answer — Yes. 

2913. Question— "Were you at a meeting of the Club, when an inter- 
esting discussion took place, in relation to employing persons that voted 
the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I recollect the matter was spoken of at the meeting. I 
think some member proposed to not em2:)loy any laborer who voted the 
Radical ticket. I think some such proposition was brought before the 
society. 

2914. Question — By resolution ? 
Answer — I think a resolution was oftered. 

2915. Question — Do you remember the majority with which it passed 
the Club ? 

Answer — It didn't pass ; it was almost unanimously rejected ; only a 
few voted for it. 

2916. Question — Do you remember the grounds on which it Avas re- 
jected? 

Answer — Two or three speeches were made on the subject. I could 
only tell the vote, from the large majority that voted against it. 

2917. Question — You say there was a general rumor that the town was 
to be fired ; did that rumor exist among the white or colored people ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I spoke to some colored men. I think I spoke 
to old Harvey. I think it prevailed more among the Avhite people ; and 
I think the rumor started from some colored man, who said that was the 
intention of the colored people of tliis place, and I think he informed some 
white person so. I came to the conclusion, after talking with some col- 
ored men, that it was no such thing, and I Aveut home and slept soundly 
that night. 

2918. Question — This feeling arose on the part of the colored people in 
consequence of certain arrests made, after Ward was shot ? 

Answer — I think the arrests occurred on the Sabbath ; I was at 
church. 

2919. Question — What time was it this feeling existed? 
Answer — I think on Saturday ; it may have been on Friday. 

2920. Question— When was Ward shot? 

Answer — It was the evening preceding the shooting of Nance. 

2921. Question — Are you sure? 

Answer — I may be mistaken ; I don't recollect. 

2922. Question — You said that you were one of the Managers of elec- 
tion ; did you appoint any person or persons to stand on the steps to pre- 
serve order? 

Answer — Several days before the election, I Avent to the Sheriff, and 
asked him to arrange some way to prevent us being disturbed. He said 
he had made arrangements, and all Avould be quiet; he said the arrange- 
ment AA'as made Avith Major Van Horn, (commanding a company of U. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 201 



S. troops,) SO I was perfectly satisfied -witli what the Sheriff told me. 
The Sheriff was there with 20 or 30 men. 

2923. Question — You state that on the steps there were several white 
and colored men ? 

Answer — Yes ; they were there when I got there in the morning. 

2924. Question — Were the polls cleared of these persons after you 
commenced work ? 

Answer — Y^'es. 

2925. Question — Did or did not several white men remain on the steps 
near the box ? 

Answer — I don't remember but one white man ; I think Dr. Fant did. 

2926. Question — What did he remain for? 
Answer — I don't know what his business was. 

2927. Question — Did you give him authority to stay there? 
Answer — I did, and Sam Dogan too ; I gave them permission to do so. 

2928. Question — Then they both had authority to look after the 
tickets ? 

Answer— I think their business was to look after the voters of their 
party. 

2929. Question — Did you have tickets upon or near the box ? 
Answer — On the bench. 

2930. Question— What kind of tickets ? 
Answer — Of both parties. 

2931. Question — From whom did you get the Kepublican tickets? 
Answer — I think Sam Dogan left them on the table. I don't know 

who brought the Democratic tickets, but they were there. 

2932. Question — Were there any voters challenged? 
Answer — Yes, a great many. 

2933. Question — By who ? 
Answer — Both parties, I think. 

2934. Question — Were you there when Dr. Fant made an attempt to 
drive Sara Dogan off the steps ? 

Answer — I don't know that he made an attempt to drive him away ; 
I saw there was an altercation, and I think Sam spoke to me, and I told 
him to stay there. Fant was at the other side of the table ; some words 
passed, and I told Dr. Fant that he (Dogan) could stay there, and that 
we must not have any fuss. 

2935. Question — He had as much authority to be there as Dr. Fant ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2936. Question — Then you spoke to the Doctor in harsher tones than 
to Dogan ? 

Answer — Well, I saw the Doctor first speak to Dogan, and then I 
spoke to the Doctor. Dogan, I don't think, spoke to any one ; he was 
offering tickets in a peaceable manner. 

On motion of Mr. Bryant, at 2 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to 
meet to-morrow, at 9 A. M. 



26 



202 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, June 1, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 

Mr. Wright in the chair. 

W. W. Griffith, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2937. Question — Are you a resident of Newberry County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2938. Question — How long have you lived here ? 
Answer — All my life. 

2939. Question — Do you know anything about the outrages committed 
immediately preceding the last general election ? 

Answer — No, I don't know. 

2940. Question — Were you not living with Dan Ward when he was 
shot ? 

Answer — No. 

2941. Question — Were you in town the day he was shot? 
Answer — No. 

2942. Question — W^ere you in town the day Lee Nance was killed? 
Answer — No. 

2943. Question — Were you here on the day of election ? 
Answer — No. 

2944. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you a planter here ? 
Answer — Yes ; I live six miles below here. 

2945. Question — Do you not employ colored men on your place ? 
Answer — Last year I had one, this year none. 

294(3. Question — Prior to the general election, did you receive a cir- 
cular to not employ colored men that voted the Radical ticket ? 
Answer — No, I did not. 

2947. Question — Did you ever attend any Democratic meetings ? 
Answer — No ; my name is not on any record of the kind. 

2948. Question — Ever hear of any shooting around your place at 
night ? 

Answer — I have heard some, but it never amounted to much ; only a 
few times I heard it. 

2949. Question — Did general rumor state there was an organized band 
called the Ku Klux Klau ? 

Answer — I heard of that, but never saw it ; it was a general rumor 
about. 

2950. Question — Did you ever see any of those parties about your 
premises at night? 

Answer — No. 

2951. Question — Ever hear any of your neighbors complaining ? 
Answer — No. 

2952. Question — It was the general rumor that there was such an or- 
ganization ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 203 



Answer — Yes ; but not in my settlement ; but below I could hear 
of it. 

2953. Question — At what poll did you vote ? 

Answer — Frog Level ; I live within three miles of there. 

2954. Question — Were you there during the day of the general 
election ? 

Answer — I was there only a few minutes; I left home and went down 
there in the evening, and was there only half an hour. 

2955. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you vote at Frog Level that 
day? 

Answer — Yes. 

2956. Question — Did you see any one driven aAvay ? 
Answer — No. 

2957. Question — Were there colored persons there, when you were 
there ? 

Answer — There were. 

2958. Question— Did you hear anything rumored about their being 
driven off/ 

Answer — No. 

2959. Question — Did you see any armed persons on the road ? 
Answer — No. 

2960. Question — Have you heard it rumored since, that on the day of 
election, armed bands of men were on the roads to prevent colored men 
from going to the polls ? 

Answer — No. 

2961. Question — Did you see any persons at Frog Level that day, that 
you knew didn't belong to this County ? 

Answer — No. 

2962. Question — Has it been rumored through that country, that per- 
sons came from Edgefield and other counties, and voted there ? 

Answer — I heard so, that some came from Edgefield. 

2963. Question — Did you ever hear a probable estimate of the num- 
ber ? 

Answer — No. 

2964. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — When you went to vote, on the 
day of election, were you armed ? 

Answer — No. 

2965. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say you are a planter ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2966. Question — How large a plantation have you ? 
Answer — Twenty to twenty-five acres. 

2967. Question — You employed one person last year ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2968. Question — Any this year? 

Answer — None for the year ; for only a month or two. 

2969. Question — Is there an organization in your vicinity ? 
Answer — None that I know of? 

2970. Question — Of either party ? 
Answer — No. 

2971. Question — With what party do you affiliate? 



204 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — -Never took any side ; I never went to a Democratic meeting. 
I always stayed at home. 

2972. Question — With what party did you vote ? 
Answer — I voted the Democratic ticket. 

2973. Question — Do you know whether or not there was a prevalent 
rumor in your vicinity, that persons who voted the Radical ticket were 
not to be employed ? 

Answer — Yes ; among the Democrats there was. 

2974. Question — Did it seem to be prevailing generally ? 

Answer — Yes ; was the prevailing rumor, about the time of the elec- 
tion. 

2975. Question — Before the election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2976. Question — Did the shooting of persons that you heard of, Ran- 
dolph, Johnson Stuart and Nance, seem to create a consternation among 
the voters ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I Avas not about much. 

2977. Question — It was talked of considerably there ? 
Answer — I have heard of it about the settlement. 

2978. Question — Did rumor state what was the supposed cause of their 
assassination ? 

Answer — I have never heard any. 

2979. Question — Was it not prevalent that it was on account of prom- 
inence in political matters? 

Answer — I don't know ; I can't say. 

2980. Question — What was the general supposition ? 

Answer — I don't know ; it was generally supjioscd it was by these or- 
ganized bands. 

2981. Question — There was a rumor of organized bands ; was the rumor 
very prevalent ? 

Answer — Yes. 

Thomas Ivory Nix, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2982. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Thomas Ivory Nix. 

2983. Question — Do you live in this County ? 
Answer — Yes ; about five miles from the court house. 

2984. Question — How long have you lived there? 
Answer — Going on three years. 

2985. Question — What precinct did you vote at ? 
Answer — Here at Newberry. 

2986. Question — Is there no voting box nearer? 
Answer — No ; this is the nearest. 

2987. Question — Were you here on the day of a meeting, when a man 
named Hoge spoke ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2988. Question — Was everything quiet at that meeting? 
Answer — No. 

2989. Question — What was the disturbance at the meeting ? 
Answer — They passed the " damn lie." 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 205 



2990. Question— Who ? 
Answer — Billy Fair. 

2991. Question — Said that to Mr. Hoge, while he was speaking? 
Answer — Yes. 

^992. Question — Did Judge Hoge say anything in reply? 
Answer — He replied, that he never was treated in such a manner in 
his whole life before, and had never taken the " damn lie." 

2993. Question — Any more said ? 

Answer — Yes ; a good many words passed after that. They asked 
him if he would come down on the ground. He told them no, he would 
speak it where he stood. 

2994. Question — Any more ? 

Answer — They tried to make up a company to kill him. 

2995. Question— Who ? 

Answer — Billy Fair, Hamp Harris and Dan Ward ; and went down to 
the train. 

2996. Question — AVas any more said in the court house ? 
Answer — No more said, after that. 

2997. Question — These words you heard said in the court house ? 
Answer — Yes ; there is where the threat was made to kill him. 

2998. Question — After the meeting adjourned, you say that this party, 
who made these threats, followed him to the depot. Did you go too ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2999. Question — For what purpose ? 

Answer — With the intention, if they got on him, we would assist him 
as much as we could. 

3000. Question — Did they make any attempt to shoot him ? 
Answer — No ; not in going to the train or up there, except Ward,Avlio 

was on his horse, rode up and looked in the window, and said : " Look 
out! there is a hog in the train ; get him out." They said : " Soo-boy ! 
soo-boy I" (and grunting like a hog.) Mr. Ward had his pistol lying on 
his lap when he rode up to the train. 

3001. Question — At that time he had his pistol on his lap? 
Answer — Yes. 

3002. Question — Apparently waiting to get a chance to shoot him ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3003. Question — Anything more that day ? 
Answer — No. 

3004. Question — Was not that the same day Johnson Stuart was 
killed ? 

Answei* — Yes ; he got killed on the other road. 

3005. Question — The road you live on ? 
Answer — No ; I live on the Columbia road. 

3006. Question — Then you don't know anything about the killing ? 
Answer — No. 

3007. Question — Did you hear any threats towards him that day? 
Answer — No; I forget ; when Mr. Hoge was speaking Mr. Sam Dogan 

was threatened. 

3008. Question — Did you hear them threaten him ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3009. Question — What kind of threats ? 



206 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Sam Dogan, he asked them to keep silent ; he said : " Gen- 
tlemen, don't make any disturbance, we didn't make any when you had 
your meeting." They said: "Never mind, just take your seat, we will 
make you all right when you come out here." 

3010. Question — Who said that? 
Answer — Billy Fair. 

3011. Question — Do you know anything else that occurred? 
Answer — No, not at that time. 

3012. Question — Do you know any person or persons that were threat- 
ened to be driven off of plantations if they voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — I know Cally Boyd ; he turned off a man for voting. 

3013. Question— How do you know that? 

Answer — I saw him ; he said he had to leave for voting ; on account 
of voting the Radical ticket. 

3014. Question — Is he the only one you know of? 
Answer — Yes ; the only one I heard of turning any one off. 

3015. Question (by Mr. Bryant)— What was it that Hoge said which 
Mr. Fair pronounced a damned lie ? 

Answer — He was speaking on the voting, and said if they voted the 
Democratic ticket they would be turned back fairly into slavery again, 
and that they had better vote the Radical ticket, and when voting mind 
how they did vote. He then spoke about States where they were allowed 
and not allowed to vote, Ohio and 

3016. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You mean States where the colored 
men were allowed to vote and not to vote ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3017. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — And Fair told him that Avas a 
damned lie? 

Answer — Yes. 

3018. Question — Near what portion of the court house was Fair when 
he gave Hoge the damned lie ? 

Answer — Standing at the back end of the house ? 

3019. Question — Did he have any arms in his hands ? 
Answ^er — No. 

3020. Question — Was there a crowd around him ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3021. Question— White men ? 
Answer — Yes, a good many. 

3022. Question — Did you see any of the prominent citizens of this 
town there ? 

Answer — I never saw any. 

3023. Question — Where does Mr. Fair live ? 

Answer — Sometimes on his father's plantation, and sometimes at his 
house. 

3024. Question — Is he a young man ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3025. Question — Of about what age? 
Answer — Between 24 and 25. 

3026. Question — Was this a crowed of men or boys that stood around 
while Hoge was speaking ? 

Answer — Young men like himself. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 207 



3027. Question — You say they endeavored to make up a company to 
kill Hoge. How do you know ? 

Answer — I heard them talking about it. 

3028. Question — Who were talking? 
Answer — Billy Fair and another gentleman. 
8029. Question— What did they say ? 

Answer — They said : " Let us kill him when he comes do^v^a from 
there ;" and the other fellow said, " Very well." 

3030. Question — What was the other fellow's name ? 
Answer — I don't know his name. 

3031. Question — Who did you hear threaten Dogan that day? 
Answer — Billy Fair. 

3032. Question — In the court house ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3033. Question — Did any one else threaten him ? 

Answer — No one but Fair and the gentleman with him, that I didn't 
know. 

3034. Question — About how many of these fellows followed Hoge to 
the cars ? 

Answer — Ten or fifteen. 

3035. Question — Among them, were there any prominent citizens of 
this County ? 

Answer — There were some about 30 years old. 

3036. Question — I mean the respectable leading citizens of the 
County ? 

Answer — None that I know of 

3037. Question — What did Hoge say to these men when they were hal- 
looing at him while he Avas in the cars ? 

Answer — He never said anything to them. 

3038. Question — Do you think you heard them calling him a hog, and 
saying, "Soo-boy, soo-boy?" 

Answer — Yes. 

3039. Question — Did he hear them ? 
Answer — Yes, I think so. 

3040. Question — Do you think that they frightened him ? 
Answer — No, I don't think so ; he didn't seem to be. 

3041. Question — Do you think any one was frightened at the demon- 
stration that day ? 

Answer — Some were uneasy, I know. 

3042. Question — Where did you vote at the last election ? 
Answer — At Newberry Court House. 

3043. Question — Did any one try to prevent you from voting ? 
Answer — No ; not in particular. 

3044. Question — Did they in general ? 

Answer — They asked what ticket I was going to vote, and I told them 
I expected to vote the Radical ticket. They said : " If you vote that 
you will be ruined, and be without a home or anything to eat." 

3045. Question — Who said that? 
Answer — Nathan Johnson. 

3046 . Question — Did the man you lived with use such language ? 
Answer — No. 



208 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3047. Question — Did you see any armed men on the road, on election 
day, as you came to town ? 

Answer — No, not as I came. I came soon in the morning. 

3048. Question — Did you, as you returned home? 
Answer — Yes. 

3049. Question — Whom did you see? 

Answer — I don't know who. They asked me where I had been, and I 
told them, " To Newberry, to vote." They said: "Did you vote?" I 
said, "Yes." They said: "What ticket?" I said I could not tell, 
particularly, what ticket I voted, or who 1 voted for, for I voted two or 
three. 

3050. Question— What did they say ? 

Answer — They then asked : " Where do you live ?" and I told them, 
" At Mr. Buzzard's." They asked my name, and I told them ; and then 
they said, " Go on." 

3051. Question — Did they have guns? 
Answer — Not that I saw. 

3052. Question — How many men were there ? 

Answer — Four white men. They were not riding ; they were standing 
still. 

3053. Question — Do you know of any person that was halted on his 
way to the polls that day ? 

Answer — No. ' 

3054. Question — Did any Radical ever threaten to injure you if you 
did not vote the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — No. 

3055. Question — Did any Democrat threaten to turn you off if you 
didn't vote their w^ay ? 

Answer — No. 

3056. Question (by Mr. I\lclntyre) — Prior to the general election did 
you ever see any organized bands of men called the Ku Klux going 
around your neighborhood at night ? 

Answer — No ; but I heard of them being there. 

3057. Question — Did you ever hear your neighbors say their houses 
had been tired into ? 

Answer — No. 

3058. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that there was a party 
of about fifteeen white men who followed Mr. Hoge to the cars ; how 
many colored men followed him ? 

Answer — About forty or fifty of us. 

3059. Question — Were you around him, when he went to the cars, in 
order to protect him ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3060. Question — From Avhat you heard the white men say about kill- 
ing him, and from the demonstration made by them, to the best of your 
knowledge and belief, do you or do you not believe that if you colored 
men had not guarded him to the cars they would have killed him ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3061. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — In escorting IVIr. Hoge to the cars 
did you hear that party of fifteen make any threats ? 



THIRD CONGKESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 209 



Answer — They said they wanted to kill him, and if they could not 
here, (Newberry,) they would head him oft' at Frog Level. 

3062. Question — Who said that ? 
Answer — Hamp Harris and Dan Ward. 

3063. Question — Did they speak it in a loud tone ? 

Answer — They spoke it as they were going along. At this time Mr. Hoge 
was ahead of me, and this company of white men were behind us. 

3064. Question — Only one of them on horseback ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3065. Question — Who was that ? 
Answer — Dan Ward. 

3067. Question — Did he appear to be leading the party ? 
Answer — No ; not particularly. 

James Little, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclutyre : 

3068. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — James Little. 

3069. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — I am. 

3070. Question — How long have you lived here ? 
Answer — I was born and raised here. 

307L Question — Where were you living before the election ? 
Answer — At Richard Kibler's. 

3072. Question — Where did you vote ? 
Answer — At the court house. 

3073. Question — Did any one threaten to turn you oft', if you voted 
the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — Yes ; Dick Kibler told me if I voted the Radical ticket, he 
would turn me off"; but if I voted the Democratic ticket, it would be all 
right with me. 

3074. Question — After you voted, were you turned off? 

Answer — Yes ; I voted on Tuesday, and was turned off' on Wednesday. 

3075. Question — Were you working on contract? 

Answer — I was working for ^85 per year, and found witli rations. 

3076. Question — At what time did you make the contract? 
Answer — Three days before the previous new year. 

3077. Question — After he turned you off", did he pay you ? 
Answer — He did. 

3078. Question — Were you here at the court house the day Judo-e 
Hoge spoke ? 

Answer — I was. 

3079. Question — Did you hear him speak ? 
Answer — I did. 

3080. Question — While he was speaking, did you witness any disturb' 
ance ? 

Answer — I did ; they appeared as if they wanted to shoot him. 

3081. Question — Did you recognize any of the parties that made the 
disturbance, while he was speaking ? 

Answer — I knew their faces. 

27 



210 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3082. Question — Were you among the men that escorted Mr. Hoge to 
the cars ? 

Answer — I was one of the crowd. 

3083. Question — What number of white men followed him to the 
cars? 

Answer — About twelve first, then a good host. 

3084. Question — Any on horseback ? 

Answer — Dan Ward is the only one I can recollect. 

3085. Question — Were they armed ? 

Answer — Dan Ward was ; he was the only one I saw. I saw some with 
their hands at their side. 

308G. Question — Were they armed with pistols or guns ? 
Answer — Pistols. 

3087. Question — After those white men got down to the cars, what did 
they do? 

Answer — It was not long before the cars started off. 

3088. Question — Did they threaten him ? 

Answer — Yes ; Dan Ward Avas at the Avindow, and some looked in the 
cars as if they were going to shoot him. The talking at the other side of 
the cars kept up such a confusion, I could not hear much. 

3089. Question — What were the colored men doing there ? 
Answer— Just standing about; acted as though they wanted to stand 

between Mr. Hoge and the party of white men. 

3090. Question — After the cars left, Avhat took place ? 

Answer — A host of them marched about on the north-east side of the 
court house. 

3091. Question— What did they do then? 

AnsY>'er — A large tall man had a large gun hanging to him, and he 
walked about. I went up towards Mr. Wicker's store, and saw some seven 
riding horses, going out towards the College, and they all had guns. 

3092. Question — Did you know any of those parties ? 
Answer — No. 

3093. Question — Did you notice any one of the party riding a cream 
colored, or, what is called in this country, a milk and cider horse ? 

Answer — I think there was. 

3094. Question — What took place after that? 

Answer — When I came down the street again, the alarm came that 
Johnson Stuart was shot. 

3095. Question — Did the alarm say who killed him ? 
Answer — The name was called, but I forget it. 

3096. Question — Did the alarm say any one of those seven men killed 
him ? 

Answer — I understood that it was the same party that I saw going to- 
wards the College. 

3097. Question — Don't you recollect the name? 
Answer — No. 

3098. Question — Did you know Johnson Stuart? 

Answer — No ; I saw him here, but had no acquaintance with him. 

3099. Question — Did you see a wagon going out towards the College? 
Answer — When I got out there, this wagon was there. 

3100. Question — What did you witness, after you saw the wagon? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 211 



Answer — I never saw anything special. 

3102. Question — Didn't see Johnson, that you heard was killed? 
Answer — Yes ; but he had been dead some time. It was a half hour 

before I got there, after he was shot. 

3103. Question — Did you hear any conversation Avhile there ? 
Answer — No ; McCoy, who goes to the College, tried to hinder us from 

going over there. He said they had thrown him (Johnson) in the corn 
patch, and if we went, we would come to our ruin. 

3104. Question — After he found you would go, what did he say ? 
Answer — Nothing ; he left and walked up the street. I went and 

stayed there two hours. 

3105. Question — You say you stayed there two hours ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3106. Question — Did you stay there until the body was removed? 
Answer — No. 

3107. Question — Did they hold an inquest? 
Answer — No. 

3108. Question — Do you know Avhether the Sheriff or Magistrate were 
notified ? 

Answer — They came to Mr. Kinard, 

3109. Question— Who is he ? 
Answer — I think a Magistrate. 

3110. Question — At what time did they send for Mr. Kinard ? 
Answer — Immediately; he sent word he would be there after a 

Avhile. 

3111. Question — Did you say you were there when Mr. Kinard came 
out ? 

Answer — No ; I did stay until the inquest was held ; the sun was not 
very high when I left. 

3112. Question — Did you ever see at night, prior to the election, any 
organized bands going about threatening colored people, or shooting into 
their houses ? 

Answer — Never saw them, but heard it talked about. 

3113. Question — As a general rumor? 
Answer — Yes. 

3114. Question — Did general rumor state who these parties were? 
Answer- -The man I stayed with did as much talking as anybody. 

3115. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — What is your age? 
Answer — Nearly 22. 

3116. Question— When will you be 22? 
Answer — I think in August. 

3117. Question — I understand you to say that the crowd that anno3^ed 
Iloge, came up from the other side of the depot, and that Ward rode up 
from this side ? 

Answer — Only one came from this side on his horse, and that was 
Dan Ward. I said the confusion from the crowd on the other side was 
such that I could'nt hear much. Of the ci'owd that went from the court- 
house, there was only one on horseback. 

William TI. Harris, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3118. Question — What is your name in full ? 



212 INVESTIGATIXG COMMITTEE, 



Answer — William Hamilton Harris. 

3119. Question-^How long have you resided in this County? 
Answer — Been here over three years. 

8120. Question — Do you live within the incorporation of NewbeiTy 
village ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3121. Question — Do you know anything of outrages committed in 
this County, prior to and at the general election ? 

Answer — I have heard of them. 

3122. Question — Of your own knowledge? 
Answer — I do not. 

3123. Question — Did you vote at the last general election? 
AnsAver — I did. 

3124. Question — Did you see any disturbances? 
Answer — I did not. 

3125. Question — You say you know nothing of outrages commi tted 
in this County? 

Answer — I say I have heard of them, but don't know about them. 

3126. Question — Do you know of any efforts made by one party to 
intimidate another party from voting? 

Answer — I do not. 

3127. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — AVere you in town the day Associate 
Justice Hoge made a speech at the court house ? 

Answer — I was. 

3128. Question — Were you not in the court house? 
Answer — I was. 

3129. Question — Did you or did you not stand in the corner at the 
right hand of the house with others ? 

Answei' — I did. 

3130. Question — Did you hear some one call him a damned liar while 
he was speaking ? 

Answer — I heard several say that. 

3131. Question — Were the men that said it in your company? 
Answer — They were all around the door, and I was about the centre of 

the door. 

3132. Question — You didn't hear the man that made use of that ex- 
pression ? 

Answer — I heard several. 

3133. Question — After the speech was over, was there not a disposi- 
tion evinced by some young men around there to kill Mr. Hoge ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

3134. Question — Did you follow him to the cars ? 
Answer — I did not. 

3135. Question — Do you know any of the circumstances that occurred 
afterwards ? 

Answer — I never went to the depot at all. 

3136. Question — Do you know anything of the killing of Johnson 
Stuart ? 

Answer — Only what I heard. 

3137. Question — Do you know anything about the killing of Mr. 
Nance ? 



THIRD COXGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 218 



Answer — Only what I heard. 

3138. Question — Was it not generally rumored on Sunday afternoon 
that he was to be killed on Monday ? 

Answer — No, I never heard Nance's name called on Sunday. 

3139. Question — You say it was not generally rumored that he was to 
be shot the next morning by certain parties ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

3140. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Cabinet maker. 

3141. Question — Do you employ any colored men ? 
Answer — I do not. 

3142. Question — Were you a member of the Democratic Club here 
jirior to the general election ? 

Answer — No ; I didn't belong to any Club, but I was always a Dem- 
ocrat. 

3143. Question — Did you ever attend their meetings? 

Answer — Yes ; I attended their meeting in the court house when they 
had their Mass IVIeeting, and that is the only one I attended. 

3144. Question — I mean private meetings ? 
Answer — No, I did not. 

3145. Question — Did you see a circular enjoining members of the 
Democratic Club here not to employ colored men who voted the Radical 
ticket ? 

Answer — 1 heard that any one who voted the Radical ticket would not 
be employed. I said so myself, and I would not hire a man that voted 
the Radical ticket. 

3146. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said you would not hire a man 
that voted the Radical ticket ; did you mean it, or did you say so in 
order to get them to vote the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — I never tried to get any one of them to vote. I didn't try to 
influence any man to vote the Democratic ticket, for I don't cai-e how a 
man votes. 

3147. Question — Did you mean what you said? 

Answer — Yes ; I meant what I said. I would not hire any of them. 

3148. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What were your reasons for say- 
ing that ? 

Answer — Because I thought the Democratic party was right. 

8149. Question — Don't you believe that every man should have the 
right of freely expressing his political opinions? 

Answer — Yes ; I didn't tell any black man not to vote the Radical 
ticket. 

3150. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say you stood in the court 
house, the day Judge Hoge spoke ; about how many times did you hear 
him called a damned liar. 

Answer — Several times. 

3151. Question — Were there other threats made ? 
Answer — None that I heard. 

8152. Question — Was he not asked to come down on the ground? 
Answer — Not that I heard. I left there before it broke up. 
3153. Question — Was there not considerable confusion, at the time 
they were calling him a liar ? 



214 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — He didn't appear to mind it much. 

3154. Question — Was there not considerable confusion among the 
people at the court house ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

3155. Question — Don't you know that a person got up and told them 
to keep quiet ? 

Answer — No. 

3156. Question — Did you attend a Democratic meeting here, when a 
colored Democrat spoke? 

Answer — Yes ; when Minor spoke. 

3157. Question — Did you hear him si:)eak? 
Answer — Yes. 

3158. Question — AVas there not some confusion that day? 
■ Answer — There was a little, about Burrell Rains. 

3159. Question — State the nature of it. 

Answer — I don't know Avhat passed, for I Avas in the window of the 
Daguerreotype Saloon, on the other side of the street. 

3160. Question — Did it look as if there was likely to be a fight there? 
Answer — Looked as though they were sort o' mad ; the Democrats 

were not in favor of any fuss. 

3161. Question — Were there not some pistols exhibited ? 

Answer — No ; I was up in the Daguerreotype Saloon. I saw the 
crowd, and saw Rains there, for I knew him. 

3162. Question — What is his general character ? 
Answer — I don't know anything against him. 

3163. Question — A man of good character? 
Answer — As far as I know. 

Sampson Pope, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3164. Question — How long have you been a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

3165. Question — Were you a member of the District Central Club of 
the Democratic party ? 

Answer — I was. 

3166. Question — An officer? 
Answer — I was Secretary of the Club. 

3167. Question — Were there any labor resolutions passed in that 
Club? 

Answer — There were some resolutions submitted to the Club, and, by 
the Club, referred to the District organizations. 

3168. Question — Were those resolutions adopted by the District organ- 
izations ? 

Answer — They were not. One had passed them prior to being re- 
ferred from here. 

3169. Question — How many adopted them after? 

Answer — Only one ; and that one expunged the labor resolution. There 
Avere five resolutions referred to them. I have the original letter from 
the Secretary of that Club, in reference to that very matter. 

3170. Question — Was it the policy of the Democratic organizations in 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 215 



this County to carry the election last fall by intimidating colored persons, 
to keep them from voting ? 

Answer — I don't think so ; I saw no intimidation ; I never saw a fairer 
election. 

3171. Question — As an officer of the District Central Club, was it your 
understanding that the Democratic party intended that the colored peo- 
ple should have a fair chance at voting ? 

Answer — It was. 

3172. Question — Did you vote here at this box? 
Answer — Yes. 

3173. Question — Were there any disturbances that day? 

Answer — None that I saw ; I never heard of any ; the Sheriff and two 
Constables were about all the time ; Harris and another State Constable 
were there. 

3174. Question — Do you know anything about the killing of persons 
in this County, previous to the election ? 

Answer — No ; nothing only what I heard. I Avent to see Lee Nance, 
after he was shot ; he sent for me. Dr. Mayer and I went down to ex- 
amine his wound, and fixed it the best we could. 

3175. Question — Did he state who had shot him? 

Answer — He did not ; he called no names. I was not in town when 
he was shot. When I came in, I saw a crowd, and heard he was shot. 

3176. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Prior to the election, did you or 
did you not know of the existence of a circular called " The Law," rela- 
tive to not employing colored men who voted the Radical ticket? 

Answer — I never saw one. 

3177. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Did you attend a meeting here at 
the court house, jirior to the election, at which Associate Justice Hogc 
spoke. 

Answer — No ; I was absent then fifteen miles from town, and did not 
get back until next evening or morning, I don't remember which. 

3178. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you here the day Mr. Minor, 
a colored man, spoke ? 

Answer — Yes ; I think we had a big Democratic celebration. I think 
he spoke in the afternoon, but I was in the court house. I heard him at 
night, when he made a speech. I heard him from my office. 

3179. Question — Did you see or hear any disturbance ? 
Answer — No ; I was sitting over here, at Law Range. 

3180. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were you well acquainted with Lee 
Nance ? 

Answer — No ; not well acquainted ; but I have known him since I was 
a boy. 

3181. Question — What was his general character? 

Answer — I know nothing more than report. I heard he was connected 
with the shooting of Dan Ward. I know nothing wrong of Lee; he was 
a good person in his place. 

3182. Question — Did you ever know him out of his place ? 
Answer — No ; unless concerned with that shooting. 

3183. Question — Do you know anything about it ? 
Answer — No ; I know nothing about it. 



216 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3184. Question — Do you know whether he was very prominent in 
political matters here? 

Answer — I don't think he was quite as prominent as some others. 

3185. Question — Well, somewhat prominent ? 

Answer — I think he had come to the conclusion there was no money 
in it, and had gone to attending to his business. 

3186. Question — Was it not generally understood that he Avas acting 
with an organization here ; the President of the League ? 

Answer — I think Matt Gray was considered the President of the 
League. I never heard Lee was. 

3187. Question — There has been a good deal said about the disorderly 
state of atiairs in this County ; we want to know all about it ? 

Answer — I have stated all I know about those things. 

3188. Question — You have lived here, and you know as well as any 
man ; now, have or have not the colored people been kind, and mani- 
fested a kindly disposition ? 

Answer — Not in every instance. 

3189. Question — State an instance. 

Answer — I think such fellows as Sam Dogan and Matt Gray, and 
others, have been particularly obnoxious to the white people. 

3190. Question — In what way? 

Answer — From their bearing and manner of acting, and setting them- 
selves up in oi^position to the white race. 

3191. Question — Then you state that the manner in which they have 
rendered themselves obnoxious is in setting themselves up in opposition 
to the white race ? 

Answer — Yes, that is it. 

3192. Question — Do you mean to say that the fact of their belonging 
to the Radical party is in opposition to the white race ? 

Answer — ISTot of itself, so much as to the consequences. 

3193. Question — There are two or three persons you have mentioned 
that rendered themselves obnoxious by reason of their connection with 
the Republican party ? 

Ansv/er — Yes; the consequences that flowed from their connection. 

3194. Question — Have you ever had an altercation with Mr. Dogan ? 
Answer — With Sam Dogan ? No, never. 

3195. Question— With Mr. Gray? 

Answer — No ; but I have heard him make use of harsh expressions. 

3196. Question — Li relation to what? 

Answer — About the Democrats ; cursing and abusing them. 

3197. Question— You have pointed out some causes on the part of the 
colored people ; now, from what you saw and heard and have known, to 
the best of your knowledge and belief, are there not white persons in 
this County that have rendered themselves equally as obnoxious ? 

Answer— As to my own knowledge, I know none. 

3198. Question — About how long was it, if you know, after Lee 
Nance was shot, before you got there ? 

Answer — I don't think he could have been shot more than an hour or 
an hour and a half. I was coming from breakfast, and v.hen I got to the 
depot I saw a crowd, and asked what it was. I came on to my office. 
After that they came after me ; he and his wife both sent for me. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 217 



3199. Question — At the time you visited him, was he not speechless? 
Answer — No. 

3200. Question — Did he converse ? 

Answer — He asked us about his wound, and we gave him our opinion?" 

3201. Question — Before you Avent to see liim, did you ascertain from 
floating rumor who shot him ? 

Answer — I heard a rumor that Fitzgerald shot him, but Lee never 
told me he shot him. 

3202. Question — Did you know Fitzgerald ? 
Answer — No, not personally. 

3203. Question — You say you was not personally acquainted with 
him? 

Answer — "Well, I have seen him about town. He was a resident of 
this County. 

3204. Question — In what way were you acquainted with him ? 
Answer — By sight. 

3205. Question — Did you see him in town that day ? 
Answer — No. 

3206. Question — Have you seen him in town since that day ? 
Answer — No. 

3207. Question — Are you acquainted with Murtishaw ? 
Answer — I am. 

3208. Did you see him in town that day ? 
Answer — No. 

3209. Question — Have you seen him in town since that day ? 
Answer — No. 

3210. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Were you in town the Sunday prior 
to the killing of Lee Nance ? 

Answer — ^I was. 

3211. Question — Did you hear, on Sunday afternoon, that Nance was 
to be killed next morning ? 

Answer — No ; I and others were uneasy about Nance and Dogan, and 
wanted to put them in jail. Dogan was put in jail. I feared the conse- 
quences, on account of the shooting of Dan Ward. 

James William Caldwell, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3212. Question — What is your name in full? 
Answer — James William Caldwell. 

3213. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

3214. Question —How long have you lived here ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

3215. Question — Do you know anything about outrages that were 
committed in this County, preceding the late genei'al election ? 

Answer — No. 

3216. Question — Were you not one of the party that was fired on, 
within the incorporation of Newberry village, before the election ? 

Answer — I was. 

3217. Question — Didn't you consider you were outraged then ? 
Answer — I did. 



218 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3218. Question —Then you know something about outrages com- 
mitted ? 

Answer — If there were, that must have been something of the kind. 

3219. Question — How many of you were together that night? 
Answer — There were three. 

3220. Question — What time of night was it ? 
Answer — I suppose it Avas 8 o'clock. 

3221. Question — How far from town were you Avhen fired upon? 
Answer — It was between a quarter and half a mile from here ? 

3222. Question — Inside of the incorporation ? 
Answer — It was. 

3223. Question — What were the names of the other gentlemen with 
you that night ? 

Answer — Mr. Murtishaw and Dan Ward. 

3224. Question — Had you seen any signs, that evening, that led you to 
fear you would be attacked that way ? 

Answer — No. 

3225. Question — How many shots do you think were fired? 
Answer — I have no idea. 

3226. Question — About how many ? 
Answer — I suppose, twenty-five or thirty. 

3227. Question — How close were you to them when they fired ? 
Answer — We were coming along the big road ; they were right over 

the fence. 

3228. Question — Did they fire more than one volley? 
Answer — Yes ; one, and then scattering shots. 

3229. Question — Did they fire on you when you were opposite to 
them ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3230. Question — Did you hear any word of command given ? 
Answer — No. 

3231. Question — You didn't see or hear anything until the firing was 
done? 

Answer — No. 

3232. Question — Were any of your party struck ? 
Answer — Ward. 

3233. Question — Any of the rest? 
Answer — No. 

3234. Question — Any of the horses hit ? 
Answer — Ward's. 

3235. Question — Did you see the party that fired on you ? 
Answer — No. 

3236. Question — Did you hear them running away from there, after 
the firing ? 

Answer — No. 

3237. Question — What way did you go, after they fired? 
Answer — Towards Gen. Williams' house, on the big road. 

3238. Question — How far in that direction ? 
Answer— As far as Baylis Buzzard's. 

3239. Question — Did Ward go any further that night ? 
Answer — No ; we put him in Gen. Williams' house. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL, DISTRICT, S. C. 219 



3240. Question — Were you in town the next day after the shooting ? 
Answer — No. 

3241. Question — "Were you in town the Monday after Lee Nance was 
shot? 

Answer — I was in here that day. 

3242. Question — What time of day did you come in ? 
Answer — After Nance was shot ? 

3243. Question — Did Murtishaw go with you that night to Buzzard's ? 
Answer— Yes. 

3244. Question — When and where did you leave him ? 
Answer — Left him on Sunday morning, at Buzzard's. 

3245. Question — Which way did he go ? 
Answer— Down the Asheford Ferry Road. 

3246. Question — Did you see him any more, between that and Mon- 
day? 

Answer — No. 

3247. Question — Did you see him on Monday? 
Answer — No. 

3248. Question — Did you have any idea that night who shot at you? 
Answei" — I did not. 

3249. Question — Have you since been able to ascertain who fired on 
you? 

Answer — No. 

3250. Question — You still have no idea who it Avas ? 

Answer — Dogan was jailed on a little fellows' evidence; but I can't 
say who it was. 

3251. Question — Was it the general rumor that Dogan Avas one of the 
men that fired on you ? 

Answer — No. 

3252. Question — Did you generally suppose that Nance had anything 
to do Avith it ? 

Answer — I don't know, myself, Avho had anything to do with it. 

3253. Question — What Avas the rumor that you heard, in connection 
Avith Nance's death, in regard to what he was killed for ? 

AnsAver — I ne\^er heard any rumor stating the cause for Avhich he was 
killed. 

3254. Question — Did not Ward state to you that night, tliat he had 
seen a party of colored men coming out of Nance's store, before he started 
from toAvn ? 

AnsAver — No. 

3255. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said, that after the shooting oc- 
curred that night, that you and MurtishaAV put Ward in Gen. Williams' 
house ? 

AnsAv-er — We did. 

3256. Question — Then you and Murtishaw went on to Mr. Buzzard's ? 
AnsAver — We did. 

3257. Question — When you, Murtishaw and Ward, left toAvn, did you 
leave town Avith the intention of going to Buzzard's place ? 

Answer — We did. 

3258. Question — You remained at Buzzard's until the next morning ? 
AnsAver — We did. 



220 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3259. Question — About what time, next morning, did you and Murti- 
shaw past ? 

Answer — I don't know ; about sun-up, I suppose. 

3260. Question — Didn't you and Murtishaw have a conversation that 
morning in relation to the shooting of AVard the night before, and about 
the party that fired upon you ? 

Answer — No ; because I didn't know. 

3261. Question — Didn't you have an idea? 
Answer — No. 

3262. Question — Didn't Murtishaw tell you who he believed had done 
it? 

Answer — No. 

3263. Question — Did you or did you not know, on Sunday, that Mur- 
tishaw and Fitzgerald were to come in town on the next morning and kill 
Nance ? 

Answer — I did not knoAV. 

3264. Question — Have never had any conversation in relation to the 
party that fired on you ? 

Answer — None whatever. 

3265. Question — Were you not in the court house the day that Asso- 
ciate Justice Hoge spoke ? 

AnsAver — I w^as not. 

3266. Question — AVere you not in town? 
Answer — No. 

3267. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You say you were acquainted 
with one Murtishaw ; Vv^ere you intimately acquainted with him ? 

Answer — No. 

3268. Question — Did he call at your house often ? 
Answer — Never was there in his life. 

3269. Question — Did you get acquainted with him during the war ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3270. Question — Were you acquainted with Fitzgerald ? 
Answer — No. 

3271. Question — Was it not generally supposed that they belonged to 
an organized band of Ku Klux ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

3272. Question— Where were you the day Nance was killed ? 
AnsAver — I said I was here the day Nance was killed ; came after he 

was killed. 

3273. Question — Where did you stop the night previous to the day he 
was killed ? 

Answer — I was at home. 

3274. Question— All night ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3275. Question — What business had you that called you to town the 
morning Nance was killed ? 

Answer — No particular business, for I came in town frequently through 
the week. 

3276. Question — You said when Ward got shot you were on your way 
to Baylis Buzzard's ; for what purpose w^ere you going there ? 

Answer — To an opossum supper. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 221 



3277. Question — Do you know any of the other parties invited to that 
supper ? 

Answer — I could call several names. 

3278. Question — Give the names. 

Answer — Eli Franklin, and others. I had caught nine opossums the 
night before, and we were going to have a supper. 

3279. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did you vote at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — I did. 

3280. Question— Where ? 
Answer — Newberry Court House. 

3281. Question — How far do you live from the Court House? 
Answer — Three miles. 

3282. Question — This was your nearest box ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3283. Question — Do you know of any disturbance occurring on the 
way as you were coming in ? 

Answer — No. 

3284. Question — Any at the polls ? 
Answer — No. 

3285. Question — What ticket did you vote? 
Answer — Democratic ticket. 

3286. Question — Did you belong to the Democratic Club ? 
Answer — I did not. 

3287. Question — Ever attend any Democratic Club meetings ? 
Answer — No. 

3288. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Farming. 

3289. Question — Do you own a jilantation? 
Answer — Yes. 

3290. Question — Do you employ any colored persons ? 
Answer — No. 

3291. Question — Do you employ any persons on your plantation? 
Answer — Yes. 

3292. Question — How many ? 
Answer — One or two. 

3293. Question — Have you, for the last two or three years, employed 
colored persons on your plantation ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3294. Question — Would you employ any persons on your plantation 
who voted in opposition to your jiarty? 

Answer — If it were a case of necessity, I would. 

3295. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — As you are acquainted with Murti- 
shaw, perhaps you can tell us if he was a member of any Democratic 
Club. 

Answer — I do not know. 

3296. Question — Do you know whether he was a Democrat in princi- 
ple, or a Republican ? 

Answer — I suppose he was a Democrat. 



222 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Henson Brown, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

3297. Question — How long have you lived in this County? 
Answer — Twenty years in the town ; then moved out about a mile 
from town. 

o298. Question — Just before the election, wdio were you living with? 
Answer — Jimmy Caldwell. He has moved out West. 

3299. Question — Did he threaten to turn you ofi' if you voted the 
Radical ticket ? 

Answer — No ; but he didn't want us to vote at all. He said we ought 
not to. 

3300. Question — When you went to vote did he try to prevent you ? 
Answer — No ; he said if he were I he would have nothing to do with it. 

3301. Question — Did you vote ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3302. Q.uestion— Where ? 
Answer — Here in town. 

3303. Question — Did you see any disturbance at the polls ? 
Answer — I heard a great deal of chat, to the effect that if we voted 

we would have no homes of our own. 

3304. Question — Who ; white or colored ? 

Answer — White folks said it. They said the black folks would get 
out of house and home if they voted the Radical ticket. 

3305. Question — Were you here the day Mr. Hoge spoke ? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

3306. Question — Did you witness any disturbance while he was speak- 
ing ? 

Answer — Billy Fair give him some words. 

3307. Question — Did you hear him ? 

Answer — Yes ; Sam Dogan said, " Gentlemen, don't interfere with our 
business, for we didn't interfere with you." 

3308. Question— AVhat did Fair say to Mr. Hoge ? 
Answer — I think he called him a liar. 

3309. Question — What remark did floge make that called that forth ? 
Answer — I have forgotten. 

3310. Question — Did you follow Mr. Hoge to the cars? 
Answer — I did. 

3311. Question — Did a party of white men follow him? 

Answer — A great party followed him ; I think. Ward, Owens Turnip- 
seed, and others. 

3312. Question — After you got to the cars, and Hoge got in the cars, 
what took place ? 

Answer — A heap followed him in the cars ; they stood at the door, and 
called him " A God damned old hog." I didn't go up close. 

3313. Question — Were they white men? 
Answer — Yes ; but I could not tell who all did it. 

3314. Question — Did you notice Dan Ward ? 
Answer — He was on his horse, on this side. 

3315. Question — AVere there horses on the other side ? 
Answer — I didn't notice. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 223 



3316. Question — Were those white men armed? 
Answer — Yes ; but I didn't see their pistols. 

3317. Question — How do you know they were armed? 
Answer — I had seen them armed before that day. 

3318. Question — Did you see whether they had them buckled around 
them ? 

Answer — No, I didn't. 

3319. Question — Where did you go, after Judge Hoge left ? 
Answer — I went home, a mile from here. 

3320. Question — Did you hear a rumor that day, before you left town, 
that Johnson Stuart had been killed ? 

Answer — No, not until I got back to town. I saw Johnson the same 
day, after INIr. Hoge spoke. I told him I was going home ; and I asked 
him if he knew that he was one to give out tickets on election day. He 
said, " No," but that he would give out the tickets, " as you say I am ap- 
pointed." After that I saw Dick Gist, as I was coming back from 
home. 

3321. Question — Do you know of any organized bands prowling 
around the country, at that time, threatening the colored people ? 

Answer — No, I never saw them ; I have heard them pass in the night, 
but who they were I can't tell ; they have talked about it at our house, 
and said it was the Ku Klux. 

3322. Question — Did that talk frighten the colored people ? 
Answer — Yes ; it stopped a heap of them from coming to vote. A 

black man, named William Coleman, stopped with us ; he said that Dave 
Coleman told him if he voted the Radical ticket he would turn him off. 

3323. Question — Was it generally understood that no colored man 
should be employed that voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — Jimmy Caldwell told me, " If you all vote that ticket you 
will all be without homes another year, for we will have Germans here, 
and the black people will be all throwed out of doors." He said : " If 
I were you I would not vote that ticket." I said I would vote it if they 
killed me. 

3324. Question (by Mr. Bi-yant) — Where did you vote at the late 
election ? 

Answer — Here at the court house. 

3325. Question — How far do you live from town ? 
Answer — About a mile. 

3326. Question — Did you see anybody that interfered with you coming 
in town that morning ? 

Answer — No ; but Jeff Calamese said that they had a crowd that 
would reach a mile, and stop all the black fellows from coming in. 

3327. Question— To do what? 

Answer — To stop the black folks from coming in to vote. I didn't 
expect I could come in ; they most all came in before day. 

3328. Question— Why ? 

Answer — They were afraid; so they came in, some even the day before 
the election. 

3329. Question — Did you see any one on the road ? 
Answer — No. 

3330. Question — Did any one interfere with you after you got in ? 



224 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No ; I came in about sun-up, voted, and then went home. 

3331. Question — Do you know anybody that was interfered with, or 
kept from voting as they wanted to ? 

Answer — John Wilson brought a black man up from Frog Level to 
vote his ticket. I said to the man, " Don't you do it." He said: "I 
am afraid to vote the Republican ticket." I said : " He can't do any- 
thing to you." John Wilson came up and looked at me very mad." I 
told the black man he was a fool. He ought to be a man, and vote his 
own ticket. He again said: " He was afraid, as the man had brought 
him np and said he must vote his ticket." Me and Dogan were men to 
show the colored men where their interest was. We talked to the man 
and we got him to go up and vote. 

Theodore Gowins, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 
8332. Question — What is your full name ? 
Answer — Theodore Gowins. 

3333. Question — How long have you lived in Newberry County ? 
Answer — Since May 1862. 

3334. Question — Have you ever been naturalized ? 

Answer — No; I am a foreigner. I never toook an oath to any coun- 
try, North or South. I am an old Frenchman ? 

3335. Q.uestion — Do you know anything about the outrages that were 
committed here before the last election ? 

Answ^er — I could not tell you anything I know ; I could only tell you 
■what I heard. I am an old man, and never interfere with any one. I 
saw some wrong done ; but I never went in any crowd, or politics, for I 
had no business to go there. 

3336. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Do you know that there were two 
political parties in the place? 

Answer — I know there were two opposite parties ; one was called the 
Radical, and one the Democrat. 

3337. Question — With which of those two do you affiliate ? 
Ansvrer — Neither of them. I have friends in both. 

8338. Question — With which do you sympathize ? 
Answer — With both, when right, according to my ideas. 

3339. Question — Now, then, you say you sympathize with both parties; 
that is to say with the Democrats, when right, according to your idea, 
and with the Republicans, when right, according to your idea ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3340. Now, with these statements, it appears that you have an idea of 
the parties, have you not ? 

Answer — I have got no idea of party ; but I have my own views. 

3341. Question — About right and wrong ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3342. Question — From what you have seen of these two parties, and 
from what you have known of them, to the best of your knowledge and 
belief, Avhich of the parties is the nearer right ? 

Answer — It is my opinion that a great many wrongs have been done 
here. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 225 



3343. Question — You sympathize with the party that is the nearer 
right ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3344. Question — Then, from what you have seen of the two parties, 
and from what you have known of them, to the best of your knowledge 
and belief, which of the two parties is the nearest right ? 

Answer — I can't ansAver that ; I have my own judgment, only. 

3345. Question — You have given this Committee to understand that 
you sympathize with that party which you believe to be the nearest 
right. 

Answer — I don't say so ; you misunderstood me ; I said, when a party 
is right, according to my judgment, I sympathize with it ; but I am no 
judge. 

3346. Question — Then, from your knowledge of the two parties, to the 
best of your knowledge and belief, and from the circumstances surround- 
ing them, which of these two parties do you consider the nearest right? 

Answer — I cannot answer that ; I have too much sense to answer 
that. 

3347. Question — Then, do you say that you have no judgment or 
sense ? 

Answ^er — I say this, on matters of fact I have got my own opinion ; 
of the intentions of both parties or things in general I have got no 
opinion. 

3348. Question — -I do not ask for your opinion ; I ask according to 
your own judgment. You could, as a witness, answer, and it is the duty 
of this Committee to fix you somewhere. 

Answer 

3349. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — I understood you to say there was 
something in both parties not correct. 

Answer — Yes, I said it. 

3350. Question (by Mr. Wright) — We ask, from Avhat you have seen 
and known of the present parties, which, according to your judgment and 
to the best of your knowledge and belief, is the nearest right ? 

Answer — I want you to understand that I am a perfect stranger to 
both parties. 

3351. Question — You understand this, that there are no two persons 
exactly alike, and the two political parties existing in the United States 
are not alike, and eveiy man that knows anything about these parties has 
formed an opinion of his own from circumstances and the actions of the 
parties. You have stated that you sympathize with that party which, in 
your judgment, is the nearest right. 

Answer— I don't sympathize with either party; I don't belong to 
either one of them, but I have my own opinion about facts. 

3352. Question — Do you mean to say that the two parties that exist in 
the United States are both wrong? 

Answer — I am talking about Newberry. 

3353. Question — Well, do you mean to say that of the two parties 
that existed here previous to the general election, you have formed no 
opinion ? 

Answer — I did not form any opinion ; according to my opinion, they 

29 



226 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



bave no opinion ; they are not sincere, and neither pure nor patriotic in 
their actions. 

3354. Question — Do you mean to say that one of the parties is just 
as impure and unpatriotic as the other? 

Answer — -Yes. 

3355. Question — Then you weigh them in the same balance, I mean 
the two parties existing here? 

Answer — In my judgment, there is no patriotism on one side or the 
other. 

3356. You weigh them in the same scales, do you not ? 

Answer — There is no patriotism on either side ; there is only specula- 
tion and humbug ; but don't misunderstand me ; I do not wish to say 
there are no pure men in tlie parties. I would be sorry, to impress on 
your mind, that there is no pure or estimable men in the parties. 

Henson Bi*own, (colored) re-called : 

3357. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — When Mr. Hoge came out of the 
court house, did you come out with him ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3358. Question — What expressions did you hear used ? 

Answer — Mr. Bas Blease, Town Marshal, he cursed him and called 
him a God damned scalawag, and rolled up his sleeves like he wanted to 
liglit. A good many men filed off from the court house to the depot ; 
Blease started the fuss. 

3359. Question — What do you know in relation to Murtishaw ? 
Answer — The day that Randolph's body came down on the cars, Billy 

Fair came from the depot and said : "One of the big men (Randolph) is 
killed." Then he had the fuss with Mr. Dogan. 

3360. Question— Who had ? 
Answ^er — Murtishaw. 

3361. Question— What did he say? 

Answer — Dogan and I were coming along the street, and when we got 
to the hotel corner this man Murtishaw was rearing his horse, and trying 
to ride over the people on the walk. Some one said : " Don't ride over 
us Democrats, ride over them Republican niggers," and pointed to Dogan 
and I, 

3362. Question— Who said that ? 

Answer — I don't know the man ; jNIurtishaw knew us, and he rode his 
horse up to Sam, and Sam put his hand up and said : " Don't ride over 
me." He said : " Let go of my horse." Fitz Caldwell came up and 
said : " Let go of his horse." Sam said : " No, I am not interfering with 
him, and he must not ride his horse on me." After that Murtishaw rode 
up to him again, and Sam caught hold of the bridle of the horse and 
put it ofi* the walk ; at that Murtishaw put his hand in his pocket and 
took out his tobacco, and put it back, and then tried again to ride over 
Sam, and made as though to draw his pistol ; and when Sam saw this he 
drew his pistol. They were right after killing Sam that evening, as 
Bandolph had been killed. Sam went in i\Ir, Foot's store, and they 
locked him up in a room, 

3363. Question — What did Murtishaw do, after Dogan Avas locked up ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 227 



Answer — He rode up to the window and said : " Where is he?" Some 
one said : " He is in the room locked up, and is scared." 

On motion, at 2 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow, 
at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, June 2, 18G9. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A. M. 

John T. Peterson, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3364. Question — What is your name in full ? 
Answer — John T. Peterson. 

3365. Question — How long have you been a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Nearly 56 years. 

3366. Question — Do you know anything about outrages that occurred 
in this County immediately preceding the last general election ? 

Answer — There were tv>'0 men killed, and probably more ; there have 
been so many outrages committed in this County in the last two or three 
years that I don't recollect now all of them. 

3367. Question — Are there any you know about that you could give 
evidence concerning, or of any person killed on the road, or any circum- 
stances connected with it ? 

Answer — No; not that I recollect — I have heard of persons killed — a 
man was killed here in town, and I was on the inquest. 

3368. Question — What was his name ? 

Answer — Lee Nance; I Avas foreman of the jury of inquest. 

3369. Question — What Avas the verdict? 

Answer — That he was killed by a man by the name of Fitzgerald, and 
that a man named Murtishaw was present aiding and abetting ; some 
time before that I understood a man was killed over by the College ; I 
never saw him, I only heard of it, and I did'nt then know the man. 

3370. Question— Have there been other persons killed in the County 
besides those you mention ? 

Answer — I have heard of others, but not so lately as that. 

3371. Question — Do you know anything about the attempted assassina- 
tion of young Ward ? 

Answer — I only know as I know of some other things ; I heard of it 
the next morning, and called next day to see Ward. 

3372. Question — Did you belong to any political organization before 
the election? 

Answer — No. 

3373. Question — Do you know whether there were any efforts made by 
one political organization to intimidate the members of another from 
voting at the election ? 



228 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Never came to my knowledge, and I never heard of it ; I 
did'nt take much part in political matters, and I don't remember being 
present at anv meetings except three that were held up in the Court 
House a short time before the election ; they were got up for both parties, 
(and I presided at all three of them,) to try to reconcile all diflerences, 
and have all to be on amicable and friendly terms, and such Avere the pur- 
port of the speeches made. 

3374. Question — Well, then, to the best of your knowledge and belief, 
did all parties in this County have a free expression, at the ballot box ? 

Answer — So far as I have any knowledge they did. I was here at the 
election, and it was generally remarked, that it was the most quiet, peace- 
able and orderly election, that had been held for some time. I was not 
at the polls, but was standing about the yard, and I heard tell of no per- 
son that was entitled to a vote being refused, and I know of none turned 
away. 

3375. Question — Do you know whether any persons voted at this box, 
(Newberry,) who were not citizens of Newberry County ? 

Answer — I don't know, for I was not at the polls, as the polls were 
held in the upper story of the court house, and I voted in the morning. 

3376. Question — Did you hear of any ? 

Answer — I heard there were some persons that came from Edgefield to 
vote for member of Congress, and, as I heard it from good men, I sup- 
pose it was true. I think there were no polls open in Edgefield ; that is 
my recollection, and some persons came over here and voted. 

3377. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you elected Judge of Pro- 
bate, at the last election ? 

Answer — It was in last June, I believe, nearly a year ago. 

3378. Question — On what ticket were you elected ? 

Answer — Well, it was by a kind of general consent ticket. I was nom- 
inated by the black people, and the whites acquiesced in it. 

3379. Question — Was not that ticket called the Radical ticket ? 
Answer — I was nominated by the black people. 

3380. Question — Didn't you run on the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — Well, there was an effort made by some to ti'y to prevent nom- 
inations, by any party, for County officers, and to let any man that 
wanted to run, do so, without regard to party. It didn't succeed, and the 
black people appointed a Committee to nominate a ticket, and a proposi- 
tion was made by some of the leading ones of them to the Democratic Club, 
that if they Avould put Messrs. Paysinger, (for Sheriff,) Lake, (Clerk of 
Court,) and myself, (I had been Ordinary before,) on their ticket, they 
would not set up opposition to the other offices, and they did so. After that, 
some white people, who didn't like it, got up what they called a " white 
man's ticket," and it didn't make much impression, as they got but a few 
votes, the white people generally voting for us. 

3381. Question — Did you hear the speech of a colored man, named 
Minor ? 

Answer — I didn't hear it, as I never attended any speeches. 

3382. Question — Didn't you attend the meetings of the Democratic 
Club? 

Answer — No. 

3383. Question — Did you ever attend a Republican meeting ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 229 



Answer — No ; the only meeting I attended was the one I spoke about, 
which was just before the Presidential election last fall ; that was got up 
to try to keep down all ill feeling, and the speeches made all led in that 
direction, and I would not have attended them if they had been gotten 
up for any other purpose. 

3384. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How long was it after Nance was 
killed before you were called in on the jury of inquest? 

Answer — It was, I think, the next day ; I think he lived until night. 

Cyrus Coleman, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

3385. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — All my life. 

3386. Question — In what part of the County do you live ? 
Answer — In the upper edge of the County, in a northerly course. 

3387. Question — Do you know of any intimidations whereby any per- 
son or persons were kept from voting on the day of election ? 

Answer — A good many did not vote. 

3388. Question — Do you know why they did not vote ? 
Answer — On account of the other party. 

3389. Question— What other party ? 
Answer — The Democratic party. 

3390. Question — What did the Democratic party do to keep them 
from voting ? 

Answer — They said they were better friends to us than the Northern 
party ; that we had been raised among them, and ought to vote for them, 
and that we could not keep our liberty if we voted the Republican 
ticket ; and also said if we didn't vote the Democratic ticket they would 
not employ us next year. 

3391. Question — Do you know the persons that said so? 

Answer — It was a general thing throughout the whole country ; and I 
have laid at night myself and studied deeply on it. They also asked us 
what the North had given us that we should vote with them, and told us 
if we did vote with them we should not be employed. They asked me 
what made me vote the Republican ticket, and I told them because they 
were like a flock of sheep, one would jump over the fence and I would 
jump too. They said they didn't think I would vote the Republican 
ticket, for they thought I would be a Democrat. 

3392. Question— Who said that ? 

Answer — The men that held the box where I voted. 

3393. Question — What were their names ? 

Answer — Mr. Chambers, Mr. Sligh and Mr. Reeder ; but the latter 
said nothing ; it was the other two. 

3394. Question — Did you go uj) that day and vote ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3395. Question — Did you vote the Republican ticket ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3396. Question — Did any one attempt to stop you from voting? 
Answer — No ; only they said "we might as well let him vote here, or 

he will go to the village and vote." 

3397. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — What box was that? 



230 investigating'^committee, 



Answer — Jalapa box. 

H398. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — The reason the rest of the people 
did'nt come and vote was, that they were afraid if they voted they would 
not be employed again ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3399. Question — Do you know of any one being killed in your 
vicinity ? 

Answer — No, not up in our beat. 

3400. Question — Were you in town the day Associate Justice Hoge 
made a speech ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3401. Question — Did you see any disturbance that day — any row or 
fuss? 

Answer — Yes ; I came down off the steps in great fear, as word came 
that the Black Jack road, as they called it, was blockaded. 

3402. Question — For what purpose ? * 
Answer — A guard was on it to arrest the black men that Avent back 

after the speech. 

3403. Question — Did you hear of any body being killed that day ? 
Answer — Yes ; Johnson was killed, 

3404. Question — Did you see him ? 

Answer — No ; I went on the Laurens Railroad. 

3405. Question — Did you go down to the cars and hear all that was 
said ? 

Answer — Yes ; they said " turn out the hog." 

3406. Question— Who said that? 
Answer — Some gentlemen on horseback. 

3407. Question — Who do you mean was called hog ? 
Answer — The gentleman that spoke. 

3408. Question — Did they turn the " hog" out? 
Answer — No. 

3409. Question — Did any go in to take him out ? 
Answer — No. 

3410. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you belong to the Union League? 
Answer — No ; the Union League was never in the country where I live. 

3411. Question — Did they tell you if you voted the Democratic ticket 
you would be put back into slavery? 

Answer — No ; but we would be the same as slaves. 

3412. Question — Did the Republicans in your country tell you if you 
voted the Democratic ticket they would kill you ? 

Answ^er — No, but the other party did. 

3413. Question — Who told you if you voted the Democratic ticket 
they would kill you ? 

Answer — No one; they wanted me to vote the Democratic ticket, 

3414. Question — You say you voted at Jalapa ; did you see any colored 
people run off from there that day? 

Answer — No ; for I voted and left. 

3415. Question — Did you see any when you left? 

Answer — No, I could not see them when I took the cars and came off. 

3416. Question — Did you see any armed men when you went to Ja- 
lapa ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 231 



Answer — No. 

3417. Question — Did any one halt you and tell you you could not go 



up 



Answer — No ; they could not, as I was on the cars. 

3418. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did yon ever see what they called 
the Ku Klux out your way, disguised with false faces ? 

Answer — No ; I never saw any ; if there were any I never saw them. 

3419. Question — How far do you live from here? 
Answer — Seven miles. 

3420. Question — No men ever came to your house at night and fired 
at you ? 

Answer — No ; I stayed in a white gentleman's house, where no Ku 
Klux could come and disturb me. 

3421. Question — Were you afraid to stop in your own house? 
Answer — No ; I Avorked at his house, and pumped water for the Rail- 
road. 

3422. Question (by JNIr. AVright) — Did the colored men follow Mr. 
Hoge to the cars ? 

Answer — Yes ; about six deep. 

3423. Question — For what — to guard him down to the cars ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3424. Question — Did those white men follow him down? « 
Answer — Yes ; directly after he started. 

3425. Question — Were you near enough to them to hear them talk ? 
Answer — I was behind them. 

3426. Question — Were they armed? 
Answer — Not that I know of 

3427. Question — Did you hear what they said after they got there ? 
Answer — No ; I was behind them too far. 

3428. Question — Did you expect they were going to kill or hurt him? 
Answer — Looked like it ; he came down the side of the Court House, 

and not down the front Avay ; he and the colored men all came down 
together, and they Avent six deep around him to the cars. 

Thomas W. Holloway, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3429. Question — What is your name in full ? 
Answer — Thomas W. Holloway. 

3430. Question — Were you one of the Managers of Election ? 
Answer — I was. 

3431. Question— Where ? 
Answer — At Suber's Store. 

8432. Question — Were there any disturbances that day at Suber's. 
Answer — None whatever. 

3433. Question — Did any persons vote at Suber's who were not resi- 
dents of Newberry County? 

Answer — None at all. 

3434. Question — Were any persons driven off from that box and pre- 
vented from voting ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. • 



232 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3435. Question — Did you belong to any political organization down 
there ? 

Answer — To the Democratic Club. 

3436. Question — Was it the policy of the Democrats in that vicinity 
to carry the election by intimidating the colored people ? 

Answer — No. 

3437. Question — Were there any efforts made to intimidate them ? 
Answer — No ; I never saw a more orderly and quiet election in my 

life. 

3438. Question (by Mr, Smalls) — Did you attend the meetings of the 
Democratic Club? 

Answer — I did. 

3439. Question — A prominent member ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3440. Question — Did that club pass resolutions in reference to labor, 
and relative to not employing colored men who voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — No ; there was a resolution of this kind passed, that we would 
give the preference to laborers who voted the Democratic ticket ; but not 
that they would not employ those who voted differently. 

3441. Question — To your knowledge, did any persons tell other persons 
prior to the election that if they voted the Radical ticket they Avould 
have tg leave ? 

Answer — No. 

3442. Question — Do you know of any persons that were told that ? 
Answer — No ; I know nothing of the sort. 

3443. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed, such as 
murders ? 

Answer — No; in that neighborhood it has always been, since I lived 
there, (15 years,) quiet, peaceable and orderly. 

3444. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Have the colored people been peace- 
able and orderly ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3445. Question — Do you know of any hard feelings between them and 
the whites ? 

Answer — No ; they fall out among themselves and have fights. 

3446. Question — The whites do too? 
Answer — I have not known of fights. 

3447. Question — When did you know of a fight among colored 
people ? 

Answer — A little while ago. 

3448. Question — What was it about ? 

Answer — Two women fell out, and as they could not agree, they went 
to a Magistrate and were fined five dollars each. I heard this. With this 
exception, I know of no disturbance, and everything is very quiet. 

3449. Question — How far do you live from here ? 
Answer — Thirteen and a-half miles. 

3450. Question — In Avhat direction ? 

Answer — Nearly south of east ; only half a mile from Pomaria. 

H. H. Counts, sworn^: 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 233 



3451. Question — What is your full name? 
Answer — H. H. Counts. 

3452. — Question — Were you a Manager of election, at tlic late gene 
ral election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3453. Question — At what place ? 

Answer — Wadlington's box. Some called it the Basket poll. 

3454. Question — Did you live near there ? 

Answer — I lived east from here, down on the Asheford Ferry Road. 

3455. Question — Were there any disturbances, on the day of election, 
at Wadlington's ? 

Answer — No ; I have been a Manager for the last fifteen years, and it 
was quieter than other elections I have seen. 

345G. Question — Were there persons who voted at that poll who were 
not residents of Newberry County ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

3457. Question — Were any persons driven off, and not allowed to vote ? 
Answer — No ; all were allowed to vote. 

3458. Question — Did many colored persons vote there? 
Answer — Only about five; they came to this box, (Newberry.) 

3459. Question — Was it the policy of the white people, in your part of 
the country, to carry the election by intimidating the colored people ? 

Answer — No ; I was Manager, and 1 told them that all that came 
should vote. 

3460. Question — Before the election, did they resort to any means to 
keep the colored people from going there ? 

Answer — Not that I know of 

3461. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said that, to your knowledge, 
no one voted there, except those who lived in this County ; would yon 
not know all voting there, having been a Manager so long? 

Answer — I could not tell all that lived in the County. 

3462. Question — When a man came to vote, did you look for his name ? 
did you have the Registration book ? 

AnsAver — No ; there was no Registration book. AVe took it as we 
could get it. 

3463. Question— If a man came he voted ? 

Answer — Yes ; any man we didn't happen to know, Ave asked him if 
he lived here. 

3464. Question — Any man you didn't know, you asked if he lived here, 
and if he didn't, he didn't vote ; is that it ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3465. Question — Are there not more than five colored persons living 
around that box ? 

Answer — Yes ; but they left about 1 o'clock the night before, and came 
to town. 

3466. Question — Was it not generally rumored, that they Avould not 
be allowed to vote there ? 

Answer — No ; I told them before the election that they should vote. 

3467. Question — Don't you believe that there Avere men outside, around 
the box, that Avould have prevented them ? 

AnsAver — ^No. 
30 



234 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3468. Question — Don't you know that they came there, and lingered 
around the box ? 

Answer — No. 

3469. Question — Did men come there armed? 
Answer — Not unless their arms were concealed. 

3470. Ques,tion — Was there not a general rumor circulating around 
there, prior to the election, that they would not be allowed to vote on 
election day ? 

Answer — No ; there are no such men in our neighborhood to do that. 
I knew all the men around there. 

3471. Question — Why, then, did they come here to vote? 

Answer — Because it was the town of Newberry. We have no rowdies 
in our neighborhood. I told the people that this election must be con- 
ducted as it should be, and they must not squabble with the freedmen, 
but must do the fair thing by them. 

3472. Question — To the best of your knoAvledge and belief, there was 
no intimidation? 

Answei' — I don't believe there was. 

3473. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were there any colored men ap- 
pointed as ^lanagers at your box ? 

Answer — Yes ; one was appointed, but they put him in jail, and he 
could not get there. 

3474. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Who was it? 

Answer — I don't know, but think it was Sam Dogan. After it was 
found he could not attend, a white man was appointed. 

3475. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were there any tickets at your box 
besides Democratic tickets ? 

Answer — Yes ; as many as I wanted to put in my one hand. 

3476. Question — Were they there before the people came? 
Answer — Yes ; I took them and carried them to the box. 

3477. Question — Who gave them to you ? 
Answer — Mr. Charles Montgomery. 

3478. Question — What was the whole number of votes cast at your 
box ? 

Answei* — I can't say exactly ; I think seventy odd. 

William Ray, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

3479. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — William Ray. 

3480. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3481. Question — How long have you resided here? 
Answer— Twenty years. 

3482. Question — What portion of the County ? 

Answer — In the northern part ; the place partly lies in Laurens. 

3483. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed in this 
County before or at the election ? 

Answer — I have heard of some ; I don't know of any only from re- 
port ; it was reported that there were two men killed at this place 
(Newberry), and a woman killed iu my neighborhood. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 235 



3484. Question — What do you know about the woman killed in your 
neighborhood ? 

Answer — She lived on my place, and went to my brother's-in-law 

3485. Question — That case has been tried, has it not ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3486. Question — Do you know anything concerning a band of men 
that travelled through the country and disturbed the peace, called Ku 
Klux, or bushwhackers ? 

Answer — I know nothing of them. 

3487. Question — Did you vote at the last election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3488. Question— Where? 
Answer — At Croomer's. 

3489. Question — Was there any intimidation there, to your knowledge ? 
Answer — I was Manager at that box, and there was no intimidation 

used ; there were no Radical tickets there. A good many colored people 
came, and we told them there were no Radical tickets; but if they 
wanted tickets, we would write them for them. 

3490. Question — Did any request them to be written? 
Answer— No ; they left and came to this place, I think. 

3491. Question — Were there or were there not, to your knowledge, men 
around the box to keep them away from voting ? 

Answer — No, not one ; they could all have voted, if they wanted to, 
without being molested in any way. 

3492. Question — Do you know of any threats made to the colored 
people, that if they voted the Radical ticket, they would be turned off 
the plantations ? 

Answer — Nearly all on my place came out to the election at Croomer's, 
but didn't vote. 

3493. Question — Why didn't they vote there ? 

Answer — Some came here, (Newberry,) and some went back home. 
y494. Question — Are they still in your employ ? 
Answer — Some are, and some left at the end of the year. 

3495. Question — Those men that left, were those the men that came in 
town and voted ? 

Answer — I don't know ; some that I suppose came here and voted are 
on my place still. 

3496. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did any persons vote at Croomer's, 
at the last election, that were not residents of the County of Newberry ? 

Answer — I don't recollect. I heard that they did vote at other places. 

3497. Question — You say every one of them could have voted at 
Croomer's ? 

Answer — Yes ; no violence was offered ; we told them as there Avere no 
Radical tickets there we w^ould write them ; that was made public two or 
three times. 

3498. Question — Was it the intention of the white people, in your part 
of the country, to carry the election last fall by intimidating the colored 
people ; I mean, to the best of your knowledge and belief? 

Answer — I saw nothing like intimidation or design, on the part of per- 
sons in my neighborhood, to keep any one from voting as he pleased ; it 



236 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



was a quiet time, and everything passed of quietly on that election 
ground. 

3499. Question — Have any persons complained to you, since the elec- 
tion, tliat on the day of election they were halted on the way, and not 
allowed to come in and vote ? 

Answer — No. 

3500. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were there any Radical tickets 
carried down to your box ? 

Answer — None that I know of. 

3501. Question — Was there a Democratic Club in your vicinity at 
that time ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3502. Question — Were you a member of that Club ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3503. Question — Was there an opposite organization of colored 
people? 

Answer — I think they had a League there. 

3504. Question — Did you frequently attend the meetings of the Dem- 
ocratic Club ? 

Answer — Yes ; I was Vice-President. 

3505. Question — AVere you present when a very interesting discussion 
took place in regard to employing colored persons that voted the Radical 
ticket ? 

Answer — I was there at the time it was offered. 

3506. Question — What were those resolutions ? 

Answer — The manner in which it first came up was, that Ave would not 
employ black men that voted the Radical ticket, and not assist or hire 
them. I o])posed it, and told them it was wrong, and tliat as far as I 
would be willing to go would be, that we should give the Democratic 
niggers the preference. My views Avere adopted, and that was the final 
disposition of the resolution. 

3507. Question — What were the means employed for the promulgation 
of the sentiments expressed in the resolution ? 

Answer — No more than what persons would say about it outside, only 
we had the colored people to come out and addressed them. I think some 
were present when that resolution was adopted. 

3508. Question — Any disturbance at that time ? 

Answer — No, none at all; several colored men joined our Club. 

3509. Question — Do you know whether the League was in existence at 
the time the election took place? 

Answer — They had meetings, and still have meetings ; I think they 
met at Dr. Herndon's place. 

3510. Question — Didn't you see any Radical tickets about there that 
day, before the box was opened ? 

Answer — No, I saw none that day. 

3511. Question — When Avere they informed that there were no Radical 
tickets there ? 

Answer — I opened the poll, and informed them that there Avere no 
Radical tickets there. 

3512. Question — Did you know^ Avhether there Avere any colored men 
about the poll that could Avrite or read Avriting ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 237 



Answer — I did'ut ; there was a colored man living on my place that 
could read, but I don't know whether he could read writing. 

3513. Question — Was he a member of the League ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

3514. Question — Did you hear any reasons given why there were no 
Kadical tickets at that box on election day ? 

Answer — I heard no reason given. 

3515. Question — Do you not believe that there was an impression pro- 
duced, that colored people that were Radicals could not vote at that box 
that day — a general impression ? 

Answer — I don't know; there were perhaps 150 that came there that 
would have voted had tickets been there ; I don't think they had confi- 
dence even in the Managers, and thought ihej would not get the correct 
ticket. 

3516. Question — How near the polls did the League meet ? 
Answer — I don't know that it was a regularly organized League at 

that time, but they had meetings, so I was informed. 

3517. Question — Do you know that all the persons that voted there 
were residents of tliis County ? 

Answer — I don't know, but I think so. 

3518. Question — Did you swear them ? 

Answer — Yes ; when we did'nt know whether they were residents or 
not. 

3519. Question — Did you swear any of the colored ones that voted? 
Answer — No ; we knew all of them. 

C. H. Sawnley, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre. 

3520. Question — Are you a resident ; if so, state how long you have 
been a resident ? 

Answer — I claim a residence, since 1854. 

3521. Question — In what part of the County did you live prior to the 
day of the general election ? 

Answer — Eastern part ; ten miles from the Court House. 

8522. Question — Are you a planter ? 

Answer — I am, also a physician. 

3528. Question — Have you any colored men employed on your j^lace? 

Answer — I have. 

3524. Question — Do you know whether these men voted at the f>-eneral 
election ? 

Answer — I think they all voted ; at least they told me so ; all but two 
I think ; there might have been two that did not vote. 

3525. Question — At what poll did they say they voted ? 
Answer — At this place, (Newberry.) 

3526. Question — Were you a Manager of Election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3527. Question— Where. 

Answer — At Wadlington's box, or the Basket poll, as it is sometimes 
called. 

3528. Question — Did you have any tickets there ? 
Answer — Both parties ; Democratic and Republican. 



238 INVESTIGATING COMlvnTTEE, 



3529. Question — Did you witness any disturbance that day ? 
Answer — No ; there was perfect harmony. 

3530. Question — Were there any voters rejected at your poll? 
Answer — Not one. 

3531. Question — Who were the other two Managers? 
Answer — H. H. Counts and J. E. McCants. 

3532. Question (by Mr. kSmalls) — Did or did notmen vote at your poll, 
that were not residents of this County ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

3533. Question — You were a Manager ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3534. Question — Had there been, you would have known it? 
Answer — Yes. 

3535. Question — None voted who were from Edgefield ? 
Answer — No. 

3536. Question — Did many colored persons vote there ? 
Answer — No ; very few. 

3537. Question — Was not a large number registered there? 
Answer — I don't know. I registered at a different box myself. 
353(S. Question — Had you the Registration books? 

Answer — There were none there ; there were no books opened there for 
registration but once. 

3539. Question — So you allowed them to vote, as they came along ? 
Answer — Yes ; those legally entitled. 

3540. Question — You only knew that from their statement ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3541. Question — You swore them, if you doubted them ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3542. Question — Do you remember how many colored persons voted 
there ? 

Answer — Some four or five. 

3543. Question — Is there not a large number living in that vicinity? 
Answer — Yes. 

3544. Question — According to the best of your knowledge and belief, 
was it not on account of intimidations that they did not vote ? 

Answer — It was not. 

3545. Question — Was it not generally rumored, i)rior to the election, 
that they would not be allowed to vote, unless they voted the Democratic 
ticket ? 

Answer — I never heard it. 

3546. Question — Did you hear anything prior to the election about a, 
band of men, called Ku Klux, organized for the purpose of intimidating 
colored persons ? 

Answer — No. 

3547. Question — Were there any political organizations in your 
vicinity ? 

Answer — A Democratic Club. 

3548. Question — Any Republican ? 
Answer — None that I knew of. 

3549. Question — Were you a member of the Democratic Club ? 
Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 239 



3550. Question — An active member ? 
Answer — No. 

3551. Question — Did you attend many of the meetings ? 
Answer — Very few. 

3552. Question — At any meeting you attended were any resolutions 
adopted declaring that any one who voted the Republican ticket Avould 
not be employed, and would be discharged from employment ? 

Answer — No. 

3553. Question — Were you at a meeting when an interesting discussion 
occurred in relation to labor? 

Answ^er — No. 

3554. Question — According to the best of your knowledge and belief, 
those reports of intimidations about your neighborhood were a humbug ? 

Answer — Yes ; I always considered it such, and told all the freedmen 
on my place they should vote as they pleased. 

3555. Question — Did those that came here to vote have to pass your 
box? 

Answer — No ; there was a road leading to this town ? 

3556. Question — Your box was nearer ? 

Answer — Yes ; but town has a great inducement, you know. 

3557. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed, such as 
murders, &c. ? 

Answer — No. 

3558. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — How many men did you have 
registered on your books ? 

Answer — We had no books there. 

3559. Question — Was everything quiet that day ? 

Answer — Yes ; uo disturbance, and none were prevented from voting 
as they pleased. 

Allen DeWalt, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

3560. Question — What is your name? 
Answer — Allen DeWalt. 

3561. Question — How^ long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Some 20 or 30 years. 

3562. Question — In what part of the County do you live ? 
Answer — Here in town. 

3563. Question — Were you in town the day Associate Justice Hoge 
made a speech? 

Answer — Yes. 

3564. Question — Do you know of any circumstances connected with 
that day ? 

Answer — No. 

3565. Question — Were you not in the court house the day the speech 
was made ? 

Answer — No. 

3566. Question — Then, you don't know anything that occurred? 
Answer — No. 

3567. Do you knoAV anything of the killing of a man that afternoon ? 
Answer — Only what I heard. 



240 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3568. Question — Were you iu town the night Dan Dard was shot ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3569. Question — Do you know anything about the crowd of men that 
fired on him. ? 

Answer — No. 

8570. Question — Do you know anything about it ? 

Answer — No. 

3571. Question — Were you in town the morning Nance was killed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3572. Question — Do you know anything about the jiarties that shot 
him ? 

Answer — I don't know them ; but I saw the two men running uji the 
street, directly after the report of the pistol. 

3573. Question — What were they doing ? 

Answer — Going in a gallop on their horses ; I saw persons running 
from Nance's store, and said those two men shot him. 

3574. Question — Did one of the men on horseback say anything ? 
Answer — No ; they were bowing to men as they passed by ? 

3575. Question — That is all you know in relation to it? 
Answer — Yes. 

3576. Question — Were you here on the day of the general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3577. Question — Was everything quiet. 

Answer — Yes ; while I was at the polls ; when I was there, there were 
only eight or ten persons present. 

3578. Question — No one molested you, or attem2)ted to prevent you 
from voting ? 

Answer — No. 

3579. Question — Was there any rumor about voting, prior to the elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — It was generally said, we were voting against the white man's 
interest. I told them I had nothing against any white man ; I liked them 
all ; but so far as voting was concerned I had a right to vote as I pleased. 
A certain man asked me Iioav I would get my living if I voted against the 
people I had been raised with ; I told him " the best I could." He said, 
did I think they would employ me if I voted against them ; I told him 
I could not help it if they didn't. He said if Dogan had not been in 
jail, he would have atoned instead of Lee Nance. 

3580. Question — Who w^as that man ? 
AnsAver — Charley Jones. 

3581. Question — White or colored? 
Answ^er — White man. 

3582. Question — Where does he live ? 
Answer — In town. 

3583. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you belong to the Union League 
before the election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3584. Question — Did you vote the Republican ticket ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3585. Question — Would you have been afraid to have voted the Dem- 
ocratic ticket ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 241 



Answer — No ; but they have a great spite against us — they didn't like 
us belonging to the Union League. 

3586. Question — Were you not afraid of members of the Union League 
that kept you from voting the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — No, sir. 

3587. Question — Didn't they put out general threats that if any of 
their party voted the Democratic ticket they would do them harm ? 

Answer — No, they didn't. 

3588. Question — Did you say you didn't know who shot AVard ? 
Answer — I don't know who shot him. 

3589. Question — Was it not the talk among the members of the Union 
League, some time before he was shot, that he ought to be killed ? 

Answer — It was not. If I understood our party, we never harmed 
any man unless we saw he was trying, point blank, to knock one of us 
down -with a club. 

3590. Question — Do you say that it was not the Union League men 
that shot Ward? 

Answer — I don't believe it was. 

3591. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, didn't the 
shooting of Ward meet the approbation of the Union League ? 

Answer — No, sir. 

3592. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were you ever disturbed at night 
prior to the election ? 

Answer — No, I was not disturbed. 

3593. Question — Did you ever hear armed bands going about your 
neighborhood at night ? 

Answer — I did. I heard people walking at any time in the night, and 
shooting pistols, while I would be in bed. 

3594. Question — Did general rumor state who they were ? 

Answer — The talk was that they were bushwhackers. I was unea^y 
myself about going out at night. 

Thomas W. Gary, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant ? 

3595. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Thomas W. Gary. 

3596. Question — Were you a Manager of Election at the general 
election ? 

Answer — No. 

3597. Question — Do you reside in Newberry County ? 
Answer — I do. 

3598. Question — How long have you resided here? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

3599. Question — Near what box do you live? 
Answer — Near Jalapa. 

3600. Question — Were you there on the day of election ? 
Answer- -Yes. 

3601. Question — Did you see any irregularities in the voting that 
day ? 

Answer — No ; all that wanted to voted. 

31 



242 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3602. Question — Did you see any persons vote that day that were not 
residents of Newberry County ? 

Answer — If they did they were niggers, for I saw no whites. 

3603. Question — Did you remain at the voting precinct all day ? 
Answer — No, not all day ; I suppose three or four votes were cast after 

I left. 

3604. Question — Did you see any person driven off that day ? 
Answer — No. 

3605. Question — Were there any efforts made to intimidate the colored 
people from voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — No, not a word was said to them. 

3606. Question — Did you belong to any political organization at Ja- 
lapa ? 

Answer — To the Democratic Club. 

3607. Question — Did you attend their meetings regularly ? 
Answer — Yes ; was President of the Jalapa Club. 

3608. Question — Did your Club pass any resolution to the effect that 
you would not employ any colored person that voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — None offered or passed. 

3609. Question — From the best of your knowledge and belief, was it 
the policy of the Democratic organizations to carry the election last fall 
by intimidating the colored people from voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — No, it was not, in my section of the country. 

3610. Question — Have you heard it rumored through the County, since 
the election, that on that day there were armed bands of men stationed 
along the various roads leading into the precincts, halting persons, 
and would not let them go to the ballot-box ? 

Answer — No, I never heard it. 

3611. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How long were the polls kept open 
that day ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I left at dinner time. 

3612. Question — How long were you about the polls ? 
Answer — I got there between 8 and 9 o'clock. 

3613. Question — How many votes were cast at that poll ? 
Answer — I forget ; I did know when the return was made. 

3614. Question — How many by colored people? 
Answer — The majority Avere colored voters. 

3615. Question — You said there were no votes cast by persons not 
residents of this County ; did you know that every white man that voted 
was a resident of this County? 

Answer — I knew every white man that voted while I was there, and 
knew most of the black ones. 

3616. Question — During the time you were at the polls, was the vote 
of any person challenged ? 

Answer — I don't think so. 

3617. Question — Were any sworn prior to voting ? 
Answer — A boy, a young looking fellow. 

3618. Question — White or colored ? 

Answer — Colored ; challenged on account of his age. 

3619. Question — Were there tickets of both parties at the polls? 
Answer — There were. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 243 



3620. Question — Was there another organization in that vicinity, 
aside from the Democratic Club ? 

Answer — They said there was a Union League ; but I didn't know it ? 

3621. Question — What is the feeling existing in that part of the 
County, between the white and colored people? 

Answer — The best in the Avorld ; as good as could be expected ; I mean 
very friendly, between the whites and blacks. 

3622. Question — Was there not, prior to the election, considerable dis- 
cord and harsh feeling between the two ? 

Answer — Not in our section. 

3623. Question — Did you, or did you not, pass some resolution in your 
club, giving the preference to those that voted the Democratic ticket? 

Answer — No such resolution passed in our club. 

3624. Question — Were you a member of the District Central Demo- 
cratic Club ? 

Answer — I was President of the Jalapa Club. 

3625. Question — Were you a delegate to this club here, (Newberry,) at 
any time ? 

Answer — I came, I believe, once or twice. 

3626. Question — Were not some resolutions which were presented in 
this District Club, referred to your club, concerning the employing of 
colored people ? 

Answer — There Avas not. 

3627. Question — Had they been referred to your club, you would have 
known it ? 

Answer — I would. 

3623. Question — Did you attend any Democratic or Republican Mass 
Meetings, at tliis place, prior to the election ? 
Answer — Attended one meeting. 

3629. Question — Only one? 
Answer — Yes. 

3630. Question — Was that a Democratic or Republican meeting ? 
Answer — Democratic. 

36:^1. Question — Did you have any altercation with any person or 
persons on that day ? 

Answer— Not that I know of. 

3632. Question — Are you acquainted with Sam Dogan ? 
Answer — No. 

3633. Question — Did you or did you not have an altercation with a 
colored person, in relation to a badge he was wearing, called a Grant 
badge ? 

Answer — I don't remember having had any with him ? 

3634. Question — With any person ? 
Answer — No one, colored or white. 

3635. Question — Well, with any person wearing a badge ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

3636. Question — If you had such an altercation, would vou not know 
it? ^ 

Answer— If I did, I would know it. 

3637. Question — Were you present, at any time, when such an alter- 



244 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



cation took place, between a white and colored man, in relation to a 
badge he Avas wearing ? 
AnsAver — No. 

3638. Question — Did such an affray take place while you were at that 
meeting ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

3639. Question — Everything passed off harmoniously ? 
Answer — I think so. 

S. Montgomery, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3640. Question — How long have you been a resident of Newberry 
County ? 

Answer — Eighteen years. 

3641. Question — Near what voting box or ^^recinct do you reside ? 
Answer — Here in town ; precinct No. 1. 

3642. Question — Were you a Manager of Election ? 
Answer — No. 

3648. Question — Do you know anything about the outrages committed 
in this County ? 

Answer — Nothing that I have seen ; only from hearsay. Five or six 
persons have been killed near here. The first Avas Amos, (forget his 
other name,) then one named Blease, (Jack Blease, I think.) Blease 
was killed about four hundred yards from here, another about five hun- 
dred yards, up the road, by the College. I knew him by the name of 
Gloster, some called him Johnson. Two others, I forget their names, 
Avere killed, about Frog Level. 

3644. Question — You have only mentioned three ? 
AnsAver — Well, Lee Nance and others; don't remember noAV. 

3645. Question — Has Amos been killed since the passage of the Re- 
construction Acts of Congress ? 

AnsAver — I think, in July 1866 or 1867. 

3646. Question — Were any person or persons arrested for that killing? 
AnsAver — The military arrested four or five; but they Avere let off. 

3647. Question — When Avas Blease killed ? 
Answer — Some time after that. 

3648. Question — Any one arrested for killing him? 
AnsAver — No. 

3649. Question — Were these men Avhite or black? 

AnsAver — All Avere colored ; there were no Avhites killed at all. 

3650. Question — You knoAV nothing about the killing of these men, 
except from rumor? 

AusAver — Except the killing of Lee Nance ; I AA^as on the jury of in- 
quest. I Avas on the Coroner's jury, and the evidence had not brought 
out anything. I saw they did not wish to do anything, and they AA'anted 
to adjourn until next day. I said: " Gentlemen, this is not going to do, 
at all; if you Avant to stop this thing, summon every man in the place." 
The Coroner said: " Summon Avho ?" I said : "Summon every citizen 
in the place ;" and many Avere about, at that time, in the street. He said : 
" Do you knoAV any one ?" I said : " Let us summon them all." He 
said : " Can you hand me any names?" I said: "Summon Mr. Christian, 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 245 



(he keeps a place here,) and Mr. Miller, (that keeps a place opposite 
Nance's,) and Mr, Jones also, and Mr. Paysinger," as I saw those men out 
there when it occurred, (for I was up, looking out my window.) They sent 
for them, and only two made their appearance ; those were Mr. Christian 
and Mr. Paysinger. The answer was, that the other two could not be 
found ; they went for them, but could not find them. These two were 
the only white men put upon the staiid. I should have said — (I am too 
fast ; I will retrace) — Mr. Peterson was foreman of the jury. Nance's 
wife and three other colored women were put on the stand ; their evidence 
was, that they did not know Fitzgerald, but they all could swear to Mur- 
tishaw ; none of them knew Fitzgerald by name, but they all could de- 
scribe him, but said they had been told, from the description, that it was 
Fitzgerald. Nearly all swore to Murtishaw, as the one who held the 
horse at the door. On this the jury could not come to any conclusion, 
as to who he had been killed by. Then, after that, I said to Mr. Peter- 
son, the foreman, " I can see no evidence here as to who killed 
Nance." The Coroner then said : " We will adjourn until the next day, 
or day after, until we can find some evidence." I then told them 1 
would not serve, for there was no use of anything of the kind ; and I 
said : " If you will summon the citizens here, and put them on the stand, 
you will then find out something." The (Coroner said : "Who shall I 
summon?" I said: "All the citizens." He said: "Who did you see?" 
I named those four men I had seen about. The first one put on the 
stand, I think, was Paysinger. I then questioned him myself. Said I : 
" Mr. Paysinger, were you in the street this morning at such an hour?" 
He said he W'as. Said I : "Did you see two persons go down to Lee 
Nance's ?" He said he did. I then asked him did he know them. He 
said he did. I asked him their names. He named them ; one was Fitz- 
gerald, the other Murtishaw. Said I : "Do you know them." He said : 
" I know them well." Said I : " The description given here (I told the 
Coroner to read the description, and he did so) of the one who seems to 
me to have shot Nance — do you know him?" He said, "Yes; it was Fitz- 
gerald." I then asked him who held the horses at the door. He said : 
" It was Murtishaw." I think there were other questions asked, but I 
don't I'emember ; I only remember what I asked him. The next one 
called to the stand was Mr. Christian. I asked him where he was at 
such an hour. He said : " I Avas out in the public square, raking up 
manure to send to my farm." I said : "Did you see two men on horse- 
back pass you while you were there?" He said : " I did." I asked him 
did lie know them. He said "Yes." I asked him who they were. He 
said : " One was Fitzgerald, the other Murtishaw." I asked him where 
they were coming from. He said : "From down by the depot." Said I : 
" Did they say anything to you when passing ?" He said : " Yes ; they 
said, " Get out of the way, Peterson, (they took him for Peterson,) or I 
will ride over you ; " and I think he said they both had pistols in their 
hands, going as fast as they could. Nothing else was said to him. I 
don't remember the other questions ; I am telling what I asked him. I 
then said to the foreman, (Mr. Peterson): "What do you say now?" 
He said : " I am pei'fectly satisfied, and willing to sign the verdict." The 
verdict was, that he came to his death by a pistol shot by one Fitzgerald, 
assisted by Murtishaw. We all signed and closed that up. 



246 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3651. Question Cby Mr. Wright) — You spoke of several persons that 
had been killed here within a few years ? 

Answer — Yes ; I mean within the incorporation. Who were killed 
outside I don't know of. 

3652. Question — Have you heard of some being killed outside ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3653. Question — Have you known of any of the offenders being tried 
and brought to justice ? 

Answer — Yes ; in one instance. He was convicted for killing a col- 
ored man down at Frog Level, and was in jail a week or so, then broke 
jail. He was sentenced to be hung iu December, I think. 

3654. Question — He broke jail? were there others with him? 
Answer — There were two others that had been arrested before. They 

went off with him. 

3655. Question — Have there been any strenuous efforts made to bring 
offenders to justice in this incorporation? 

Answer — No. 

3656. Question — Did you state you Avere in town the morning Nance 
was killed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3657. Question — How long was it after he was killed before you heard 
of it ? 

Answer — About five or ten minutes. I saw from my window the men 
going along, but I didn't know either of them. 

3658. Question — Those persons were generally known by the citizens, 
were they not ? 

Answer — They associated with them here every day. 

3659. Question — Did they go up through the main street ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3660. Question — Do you know how long they stopped in town ? 
Answer — No. I think think the Sheriff^ went after them about two 

or three hours afterwards. He was killed, I think, between 8 and 9 
o'clock, and they went about 11 or 12 o'clock. He could not go earlier, 
for he could not obtain horses, as no one would let him have horses. I 
think he said : " What am I going to do ? they wont give me assistance." 

3661. Question — He could not obtain assistance in town to arrest 
them ? 

Answer — He could not. 

8662. Question — Were you acquainted with Lee Nance ? 

Answer — Very well ; I knew him in Newberry, also in Mississippi, 
in 1854. He then belonged to Mr. Holman, who thought the world and 
all of him. 

3663. Question — What was his general character ? 

Answer — The very best that any one could have ; a quiet, peaceable 
citizen. 

3664. Do you know whether he was connected with any political 
organization here? 

Answer — He was principal advisor among his people. 

3665. Question — Was there or was there not quite a feeling among the 
white people against him, for being quite an advisor and leading man ? 

Answer — Exactly so. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 247 



3666. Question — Has there or has there not been a disposition shown, 
on the part of the Democratic party, to get rid of all the leading 
Kepublicans here ? 

Answer — Yes ; all white and all colored. I will relate an instance of how 
nigh I came to being shot one night. It was the custom of myself and 
my brother, after tea, to come from the second story by steps that led 
down to the street, and sit and smoke. This night my brother had not 
come to tea ; I went down, after tea, and Avas standing on the lower step, 
and saw a man going round the curve on the other side of the street 
below me. He walked right in the middle of the street, and got nearly 
opposite to Avhere I was, and got in front of the door Avhere I was stand- 
ing. He fell down and rolled over and commenced to groan ; I started 
to go up to him, and while rolling over I detected his pantaloons were 
rolled up, and he had on very clean stockings and very clean drawers ; 
they attracted my attention, for it was such a contrast with the other 
portions of his dress ; his coat was buttoned up, and he had on a ragged 
pair of pataloons. I then suspected something was wrong. I ran up 
stairs as hard as I could, (I had no pistol,) and by the time I got up to 
the door on the second story, about ten steps, I went in and locked the 
door after me, and I had hardly got the key out of the door before he 
was up there trying to force the door open. He got up quick for a sick 
man, as you will see. I ran into the other room and got my pistol, and 
my wife heard him try to get the door open. My wife ran to the door to 
know who it was there, and called out, but got no answer. Then I got my 
pistol and came out in the passage to open the door, and my Avife screamed 
and caught me around the neck, and my children were all around my legs 
crying, and begging me not to go out. The colored girl went to the 
Avindow to see if she could see Avho it Avas ; after awhile she saAv some per- 
son go down and go off toAvards the court house. Noav, the question is, 
Avhether it Avas meant for me or my brother. My Avife said : "I don't think 
it could have been meant for you, but must have been for Charles." He 
would have run forAvard (such is his disposition) and jDicked him up. I 
am certain that had he done so that would have been the last of him. 

3667. Question — Was there or Avas there not a disposition shown, on 
the part of the officer of that jury, to evade finding out the persons that 
committed the murder ? 

Answer — The Coroner's duty Avas not done. 

3668. Question — Were you here the day Associate Justice Hoge made 
a speech ? 

Answer — I was. 

3669. Question — Did you hear his speech ? 
Answer — No ; I did not go over. 

3670. Question — Did you see any disturbance on that day ? 
Answer — When he got here, Mr. CorAvin and myself were sitting in 

the ofiice ; he came in, and shook hands with us. We asked him : " Any 
news beloAv ?" He said : " Nothing at all." He said he had come up 
to make a speech. We asked him what stay he intended making. He 
said he Avould go back by the return train, as one of his children Avas 
sick. 

3671. Question — Just commence at the time you saAV any violence. 
AnsAver — He first asked us would Ave go OA^er and hear him. I said I 



248 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Lad been sick he said : " You look badly." And I then went up stairs 
and told my wife to get up something for him to take down with him, as 
the train would go down before dinner was ready. He then went over 
to the court house to speak. There were very few colored people about, 
and I thought it was going to be a failure to get any one to hear him. 
That is all I know about that. I heard a good many angry words 
spoken. 

3672. Question — Did you see him when he left here to go to the depot ? 

Answer — Yes. About fifteen or twenty minutes before the train left 
he came over, and I supposed was coming up stairs, but he stopped in the 
Assessor's office below, and of all the crowds, the roughest one I ever saw, 
gathered, and cursed him for everything they could lay their tongues to. 
My wife said : " Don't let him come up here." She was afraid they might 
come up after him. I didn't go down to ask him up, for I was afraid. 
He then went to the depot. They hallooed and hooted behind him, and 
I saw no more. I only saw three or four colored men go with him from 
here, but I was told more went with him after he left the Assessor's of- 
fice, opposite the court house. 

367o. Question — From the demonstrations you have seen here, by the 
Democratic party, what conclusion did you come to ? 

Answer — I didn't think he would live to get to the depot. I thought 
he would be murdered. 

oG74. Question — About how many yards is the depot from the Asses- 
sor's office? 

Answer — I would call it about three hundred yards. 

3675. Question — Were you here on the day of election ? 

Answer — I Avas ; my wife fairly went down on her knees, and begged 
me not to go. 

3676. Question — Why did she beg you not to go. 
Answer — She was afraid I would be killed. 

3677. Question — Have you or have you not stood in fear of your life 
here ? 

Answer — Night and day ; my wife begged me every morning to leave 
here. My wife never slept for weeks, but was up all night watching. 

3678. Question — From what you have seen, and from what you know, 
do you believe that the Radicals have been permitted to vote as they saw 
fit? 

Answer — Only at one precinct, in township No. 1 ; and that was owing 
to the military Ijeing present at the jail. One of the officers, (Lieut. 
Fletcher,) was near the polls ail the time. 

3679. Question — Was it or was it not generally understood, that the 
roads leading to the several polls, in the County, Averis blockaded by armed 
men, stationed to prevent persons from going to the polls to vote ? 

Answer — I talked with some seven or eight, (I don't remember their 
names, ) who said they came here three days before the election, because 
they could not vote in the country, and were afraid ; that is what they 
told me. I talked with some men that stayed here a week after the elec- 
tion, as they were afraid to go home. I told them to go and stay at 
my place, below here, as long as they wished, or until they thought it 
was safe for them to return home. They said they had been met on the 
road, and told they would get their names, and settle with them, and some 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 249 



would get a Hue, if they voted, and some said if they voted the Republi- 
can ticket they would not be allowed to go back ; also, there was another 
box, where my brother told the Major to send some men down, at the 
Frog Level box. Lieut. Hazel was in command there. I think there 
were forty-three colored men voted at that poll, and, if the military had 
not been there, there would not have been one ; and, if the the military 
had been sent to other boxes, a free vote would have been polled. 

3680. Question — Have you any idea of the number that did not vote ? 
I mean were kept from voting by the peculiar manoeuvres of the Demo- 
cratic party ? 

Answer — If I had the list I could come nigh it. I forget how many ; 
I think there were about a thousand or so votes at this box, and forty- 
three at Frog Level ; and that is about all, through the whole District. 

3681. Question — Do you know about how many colored voters there 
are in the County? 

Answer — I think there were 2100 registered, and 900 or a 1000 whites. 
I think when my brother was elected he got 700 or 800 majority — may-be 
more ; I could tell by the papers. 

8682. Question — You are somewhat conversant with the state of aftairs 
in the whole County, are you not ? 

Answer — I am ; lived here eighteen years, and am conversant with the 
state of affairs in the whole County. I am also known pretty much by 
everv man in the District. 

3683. Question — From the knowledge that you have of the County, 
and of the people of the County, now, to the best of your knowledge and 
belief, Avhy was it that the colored peoi)le that voted came to tliis poll to 
vote? 

Answer — Because they had been informed that the military was here, 
and that they would be allowed to vote, as the military was sent here to 
protect them ; otherwise there would not have been 400 voted here, for 
some had to come fifteen and eighteen miles. Everything was quiet here. 
Why, a man belonging to the same Lodge of Masons that I belong to, 
came to me, as a brother Mason, and begged me, as a Mason, not to vote. 
My answer was, I Avill vote if I am shot down at the ballot-box. I went 
and voted ; they all stood back, and were very polite and pleasant. I 
don't think a hard word was spoken at this box. 

3684. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You stated that the Coroner, Gen. 
Kinard, in the inquest over the body of Lee Nance, did not perform the 
duty of a Coroner ? 

Answer — He did not. 

3685. Question — Did he not summon witnesses to appear ? 
Answer — Yes. 

8686. Question — Summon a jury ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3687. Question — Well, what part of the duties of a Coroner did he 
omit? 

Witness (interi'upting) — Will you tell me Avhat you understand to be 
a Coroner's duty—' — 

Mr. Bryant — No, that I 

Witness — He did not at first summon all the citizens about that • 



250 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Mr. Bryant — From the fact that you suggested to him what to do, 
he did'nt perform his duty ? 

Witness — He did what I told him to do — summon the names after I 
gave them to him, but he did not summon all the merchants, and others, 
who were about, (as there was a large crowd at the time in the street,) 
and put them on the stand. 

3688. Question — Then you regard the duty of a Coroner, when an in- 
quest is called, to summon all the merchants? 

Answer — No ; if I was in a city I would not ; but in a place like this, 
where they are all together, as neighbors, I would ; I w'ould summon 
the neighbors. 

3689. Question — Did not Gen. Kinard summon a sufficient number of 
witnesses to elucidate the subject to the satisfaction of every one ? 

Answer — Well, I suggested to the Coroner to summon the citizens to 
find out who did it. 

3690. Question — Did he summon enough to prove who killed Lee 
Nance ? 

Answer — Oh, yes. 

3691. Question — What more could he have done? 

Answer — I told you that he did at first, but there was no evidence who 
killed him, and then wanted to adjourn over to next day to get more 
evidence, and 

3692. Question — Didn't the Coroner then summon other witnesses ? 
Answer — He did, after my suggestion ; now, you understand, at first, 

there was no evidence to convict ; they could describe him, but did'nt 
know his name. 

3693. Question — Then, you summoned the witnesses ? 

Answer — No ; I had nothing to do with it ; four white men w'ere sent 
for ; two made their appearance, and two did'nt ; from the evidence of 
the two that came, the foreman was satisfied who killed him, and so was 
the jury. Why, I received an anonymous letter last spring, threatening 
me, if I voted the Republican ticket. I threw it in the fire; I wish I 
had kept it. 

3694. Question — What was the verdict of the jury at the inquest over 
Lee Nance ? 

Answer — Came to his death by pistol shot in the hand of Fitzgerald, 
assisted by Murtishaw. 

3695. Question — The duties of Coroner were performed, were they not, 
by some one in that case ? 

Witness — What do you want me to say ? Tell me what you consider 
the duty of a Coroner ? 

3696. Question — Well, I confess I can't understand this, and will put 
it in this form : According to your views of the duty of a Coroner, did 
not some one perform that duty in the case of Lee Nance ? 

Answer — Yes ; so far as summoning the jury ; but not sufficient evi- 
dence was brought forth to establish the fact. I suggested 

3697. Question — You considered you were the Coroner ? 
Answer — No. 

3698. Question — I cannot see where General Kinard failed to perform 
his duty. He listened to the suggestion of one of the jury ; then do I 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 251 



understand, from the mere fact of his listening to the suggestion of the 
jury, he didn't perform his duty ? 

Answer — He did perform the duty of Coroner ; he did what 

3699. Question — A while ago you said he didn't perform the duty. 
Answer — I say he did Avhat I told him to do afterwards, after he had 

said : " We will adjourn to meet again." 

Mr. Bryant — Well, I confess that I cannot see the point yet, and I 
Avill desist from further examination of this witness, and recall him for 
cross examination some other day. 

3700. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman) — I understood you to say 
that General Kinard didn't summon but two of them. 

Answer — He summoned four white men, but only two came. He sum- 
moned all that were in the house where the killing took place. I say, I 
named to him four white men, and only two made their appearance. 
The Constable said he could only find these two. 

3701. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — How many did the Coroner's jury 
consist of ? 

Answer — The usual number — twelve. 

On motion, the Committee, at 2 P. M,, adjourned until to-morrow, at 
A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, June 3, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A. M. 

John G. Houseal, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

8702. Question — How long have you lived in Newberry County ? 
Answer — Since 1840. 

3703. Question — Were you a Manager of Election, at the last general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3704. Question — At what box ? 
Answer — Croomer's. 

3705. Question — Were there any disturbances that day, at the polls ? 
Answer — No, not any. 

3706. Question — Did any persons vote at that box, who were not resi- 
dents of Newberry County ? 

Answer — Not that I know. 

3707. Question — Were any persons driven from there, and not allowed 
to vote ? 

Answer — Not any, that I saw or know of 

3708. Question — Did many colored persons vote there? 
Answer — Only two voted. 

3709. Did others come, and then go off without voting ? 
Answer — Yes. 



252 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



?>710. Why did they leave without voting ? 

Answer — I was Chairman of the Managers of Election, and I found 
there were no Republican tickets there ; we would have written tickets, 
but we didn't know who were the candidates on that side. I went out 
myself twice to the colored people, and told them we had no tickets, but 
we were ready to receive the votes of any one who wanted to vote, but 
we had no tickets, that they would vote ; they stayed around some time, 
and I W'Cnt out again, asked if they had any tickets, and they said no, 
and then went oft" home. 

3711. Question — Do you know they went home? 

Answer — I can't say that positively, but they left the polls and went 
off; there was no disturbance or any angry words spoken that day, that I 
heard ; it was the most peaceable election I ever managed. 

8712. Question — Did any of the colored persons that day have fire 
arras ? 

Answer — A few niggers had guns. 

3713. Question — Did any of the whites have guns? 

Answer— Not that I saw ; I don't recollect of seeing a white man with 
a gun ; but I did see two niggers with guns. 

3714. Question — About how many colored persons came there, and 
went away again ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

3715. Question — About how many? 

Answer — 1 suppose, one hundred or one hundred and fifty ; but not 
exceeding that number. 

3716. Question — Did they all come to the box together? 
Answer— No, a good many were there when I went down. 

3717. Question — Did they all go ofi' together? 
Answer — Pretty much together. 

3718. Question — Did any colored persons vote ? 
Answer — Two. 

3719. Question — What ticket did they vote? 
Answei' — The Democratic ticket. 

3720. Question — Do you know why there were no Republican tickets 
at your box that day ? 

Answer — No ; I inquired if there Avere tickets to be sent there, and re- 
ceived no information. 

3721. Question — There Avere Democratic tickets ; how did they get 
there? 

Answer — I don't know ; they were not sent directly to the Managers. 
I think Mr. William Whitmire brought them up, as he was down in 
town the day before. 

3722. Question — Have you heard it rumored, since the election, that 
on the day of election, armed men were stationed along the various roads 
to prevent the colored people from coming in to vote ? 

Answer — No ; I never heard of such a thing. 

3723. Question — Do you recollect how many votes were polled at 
Croomer's ? 

Answer — No ; I don't recollect now how many. I don't recollect 
whether one hundred or over ; anyhow, there were not much over one 
hundred. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C, 253 



3724. Question — Did you belong to any political organization in that 
country ? 

Answer — No. 

3725. Question — Do you know of any efforts, by the white people, to 
intimidate the colored persons from voting the Republican ticket? 

Answer — I know of none, nor did I ever hear of any. 

3726. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You said that two colored men 
were armed Avith guns that day ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I suppose they brought them along for hunting, as 
I do not think they had them with evil intentions. 

3727. Question — Did you see any white voters, at your polls, Avith pis- 
tols or other fire arms? 

Answer — No ; I didn't see any. 

37-8. Question — Didn't some white voters loiter about there all day? 
AnsAver — Yes ; as they generally do at elections. I never managed 
one but Avhat there Avere. 

3729. Question — Didn't you see some Avhite voters trying to force voters 
to vote their ticket ? 

AnsAver — I saAV none ; I saAV tAA'omen, both Whitmires, talking to some 
of the hands they had employed, but there AA'asno forcing at all. Henry 
was trying to get one of the boys to vote. 

3730. Question — Was it not generally understood they Avere not to 
employ these men, if they didn't vote their ticket? 

AnsAver — There Avas such talk in the neighborhood. I heard some 
people say they Avould not employ them. I have heard this, also, by 
other persons talking about it, as coming from blacks, and some of those 
same niggers, though turned off, have been employed since. 

3731. Question — Have you since heard the reason why the Republi- 
can tickets didn't get to that poll? 

AnsAver — No. 

3732. Question — Did'nt rumor say that those parties Avho had the 
tickets Avere stopped on the road, and the tickets destroyed ? 

Answer — No. 

3733. Question — Did you, or did you not, hear of armed bands of men 
going around at night called the Ku Klux Klan ? 

Answer — Never heard of such a thing. 

3734. Question — Never heard the Avord Ku Klux mentioned ? 
AnsAver — Oh, I have heard of such a thing. 

3735. Question — Have you an idea Avhat the Avord Ku Klux means ? 
AnsAver — No ; I saw none, or knoAV nothing about them. 

3736. Question — Did you ever attend Democratic meetings ? 
Answer — No, I did not ; I am a member of a Democratic Society, over 

four miles from my house ; I never attended the meetings, because I had 
a carbuncle on my side when the Society was organized. 

3737. Question — Were you not posted by some of the members of 
Avhat took place in the Club ? 

AnsAver — No. 

3738. Question —Did you have registration books at your poll ? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

3739. Question — About Avhat number of colored persons Avere regis- 
tered on your books ? 



254 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I don't know. 

8740. Question — About Avhat number ? 

Answer — I can't tell how many registered. 

3741. Question — Can't you guess? 
Answer — It would be just at random. 

3742. Question — Well, at random ? 

Answer — I have not the least knowledge ; positively, I can't say, 

3743. Question — Were you a registrar? 
Answer — I was. 

3744. Question — Do you suppose 400 colored voters were registered at 
your box ? 

Answer — I could not say positively. 

3745. Question — Did you not assist in counting them up ? 

Answer — I was not on the Board, only on the last, previous to election. 
I was not one of the first registrars — Mr. Denson, Mr. Smith, and an- 
other man, (I have forgotten his name,) were the persons. 

3746. Question — Who were giving out Democratic tickets at your 
polls ? 

AnsAvei- — They were brought there, and put on the table by the Mana- 
gers ; no one gave out tickets at all ; I have managed a good many elec- 
tions, and the tickets were put on the table. 

3747. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Could there not have been men some 
little distance off from the polls that you could not see ? 

Answer — There may have been. 

3748. Question — Was it not the general rumor, a few days prior to the 
election, that the man who attempted to issue Republicans tickets would 
die? 

Answer — I don't knoAV, nor did I ever hear of such a thing ; it might 
have been, for all I know. 

3749. Question — There could have been men on the road and stopped 
the men coming there with tickets ? 

Answer — That could have been, without my seeing them. 

3750. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, would it 
not have been dangerous for a man to have attemjited to issue Radical 
tickets there ? 

Answer — No ; every nigger could have voted the Radical ticket that 
day, without fear or dread. 

3751. Question — Do you believe a white man who voted the Radical 
ticket could have lived there after the election, and been respected by the 
citizens ? 

Answer — Yes ; any white man or nigger, Avho was a Radical, could. 
No one has ever been disturbed there, as my community, I know, is both 
peaceable and orderly. 

3752. Question (by Mr. AVright) — You said you went out twice and 
informed the colored people there were no tickets there. Will you just 
state the language you used the first time you went out? 

Answer — I said : " There are no Radical tickets here." 

3753. Question — How long was it before you went out the second 
time? 

Answer — Fifteen or twenty minutes, or half an hour. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 255 



3754. Question — When you went out the first time, about how many- 
were there ? 

Answer — There were about 100 or 150 niggers. 

3755. Question — Now tell us the language you used the second time ? 
Answer — The same language I used the first time. 

3756. Question — How long did they remain ? 
Answer — I don't think they remained ten minutes after. 

3757. Question — You said every negro there was a Radical, 
Answer — I supposed so ; all but tlie two that voted the Democratic 

ticket. When I went out, I said : " We are ready to receive votes ; if 
you want to vote the Democratic ticket you can come in and vote." 

375H. Question — You said one of the Whitmires was trying to get 
one of the boys to vote. Did you allow boys to vote? 

Answer — Oh, we call the niggers boys when we meet them ; I speak in 
the every day language we use. 

3759. Question — Why do you call them boys ? are they not men ? 
Answer — It is the language Ave generally use when we meet one. I 

would call you a boy if I met you in the road. 

3760. Question — Do you know how many white persons voted that 
day? 

Answer — I do not know exactly how many; I cannot now say. 

3761. Question — Do you know about how many? 
Answer — No. 

3762. Question — Do you know whether any that voted were not resi- 
dents of this County ? 

Answer — I do not. 

3763. Question — Did you know' every white man that voted there ? 
Answer — Yes, I knew them ; I live near the line of Laurens and New- 
berry. 

3764. Question — Were their names all on the registration list? 
Answer — Yes. 

3765. Question — Did you turn to the book every time a voter came, 
to find his name ? 

Answer — The registration book ? no ; we knew the men, and where they 
lived. 

3766. Question — Did the white people generally go oft' together from 
the polls ? 

Answer — I can't tell about that ; that is not necessary — such a ques- 
tion as that. 

Mr. Wright — I am the judge whether the question is necessary or 
not. 

Witness — Well, they went ofl' like they generally do. 

3767. Question — You said that you had not heard of any means used 
to intimidate colored people from voting as they saw fit, and then you 
said you had heard a general rumor afloat, that those who voted the 
Radical ticket were to be turned oflT; now, do you, or do you not, consider 
that that rumor tended to intimidate the colored people, and kept them 
from voting as they saw fit ? 

Answer — I don't know Avhether there were intimidations or not. 

3768. Q.uestion (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you acquainted with one 
Murtishaw ? 



256 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. 

3759. Question — Were you acquainted with Fitzgerald ? 

Answer — No. 

3770. Question — Were you acquainted with Dick Gist ? 
Answer — Yes, I know him when I see him. 

3771. Question — Did he ever call upon you, at your house, prior to 
the election ? 

Answer — No. 

3772. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said that you did'nt look on 
the books to see if every man was registered when he came to vote ; did 
you know, by a previous examination of the books, that he was regis- 
tered ? 

Answer — We were familiar with the men, and took their word for it, 
that they had registered, and we could not doubt it, as there had been 
two registrations before — Mr. Densou, formerly a registrar, was there, 
and another one, Mr. Jarrett Smith, stayed at the polls all day. 

3773. Question — You said you didn't doubt their say so, and only 
asked if they had registered, and if they said yes, you allowed them to 
vote ? 

Answer — Yes ; Alfred Denson was a registrar in two registrations, and 
he was by us all day. 

3V74. Question — Did you consider you were fully carrying out your 
duty when you let them vote by their saying they were registered ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3775. Question — Had the colored people come to vote, would you have 
taken their say so ? 

Answer — Yes, if we knew where they lived we would have done it ; 
if one came, and we didn't know him, we would have examined the book. 

3776. Question — Did you know where every Avliite man lived ? 
Answer — Yes, I did ; in the neighborhood I live it is tolerably well 

settled, and every man living there any time would be known. 

Joshua Hunter, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

3777. Question— What is your name ? 
Answer — Joshua Hunter. 

3778. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

3779. Question — How long have you resided here? 
Answer — Born and bred about nine miles from this place. 

3780. Question — Did you vote at the last general election ? 
Answer — No. 

3781. Question — Why did'nt you? 

Answer — There appeared to be somewhat of an uproar, and I was a 
well-known man, and had been told by some not to vote. They had 
begged me to vote the Democratic ticket, and I told them I would not 
do it, so they said I had better not vote the other ticket, or I would go up ! 

3782. Question — What did you understand by that ? 
Answer — That I would be killed. 

3783. Question — Who said that ? 

Answer — Many of them told me. Mr. Jack Hare said if I voted that 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 257 



ticket he would rather his land sink in hell than have a Radical to 
work it. I lived with him, 

3784. Question — You didn't vote, then ? 

Answer — No ; they told me I would be watched, if I voted, and I was 
well known all over the District. 

3785. Question — And in consequence of their saying that, you didn't 
vote? 

Answer — Yes. 

3786. Question — Was that the reason, on account of those threats ? 
Answer — That was the reason ; because I had stuck up to the Repub- 
lican party. 

3787. Question — Do you know others that were threatened ? 
Answer — It has been such a general thing, I did'nt pay much atten- 
tion. 

8788. Question — Where was the nearest voting place to you ? 
Answer — Here ; but I didn't vote. 

3789. Question — No box nearer. 

Answer — I lived about the same distance from Frog Level. 

3790. Question — Was there, or was there not, a general rumor afloat 
that the roads would be blockaded on election day ? 

Answer — It was so said. 

3791. Question — To keep colored people from voting. 
Answer — Yes. 

3792. Question — That was the general talk among the people ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3793. Question — Was it, or was it not, generally rumored among the 
colored people, that if they voted the Radical ticket they would lose 
their homes. 

Answer — Yes I'^aud some did. 

3794. Question — About how many in your vicinity lost their homes ? 
Answer — I am certain of one at Jacob Kibler's. 

3795. Question — Did you ever attend any of the meetings in town, 
where speeches were made? 

Answer — I was here in July, when Mr. Armstrong was here. That 
was the first I attended. 

3796. Question — Any other since ? 

Answer — I have been w'ith the colored people since. 

3797. Question — Were you here just before the last election, when 
Judge Hoge spoke? 

Answer — No, I was not here. 

8798. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said they told you if j'ou voted 
the Republican ticket you would go up. Now, please state the names of 
some of those who told you that. 

Answer — Pink Davenport, Allen DeHart and Jim Schumpert. 

3799. Question — Now, did those gentlemen, Avho told you if you voted 
the Radical ticket you would go up, seem to be threatening you, or were 
they simply telling you what they believed or predicted ? 

Answer — It was their desire we should not vote, and to scare us out if 
possible, 

3800. Question — Did they speak to you in a threatening manner when 
they said you would go up ? 

33 



258 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Mr. DeHart spoke angrily. 

3801. Question— How did Mr. DeHart speak? 

Answer — Ob, he is a poor man, poorer than myself, and just lived as a 
watch dog to seek on us. 

3802. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre)— You said you didn't vote on elec- 
tion day ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3803. Question — Did you know of the existence of a companyof 
armed men going about the country intimidating the colored people, prior 
to the general election ? 

Answer — I didn't. 

3804. Question — Didn't you hear a general rumor of such companies ? 
Answer — Yes, I heard it. 

David Sligh, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3805. Question — What is your name, in full ? 
Answer — David Sligh. 

3806. Question — Were you a Manager at the last general election ? 
Answer — I was. 

3807. Question— At what box ? 
Answer — Jalapa. 

3808. Question — Was there any disturbance at that box on the day of 
election ? 

Answer — Not any that I saw or heard. 

3809. Question — Did any persons vote at Jalapa that were not resi- 
dents of Newberry County ? 

Answer — If they did, we didn't know it ; I think there was a man 
slipped in, that lived in Laurens, but I won't say that positively. 

3810. Question — Was every person's name, who voted that day, on 
your registration books. 

Answer — I think they were; I didn't do anything myself but hold the 
boxes ; there were three, and I had the right votes put in the right box. 

3811. Question — Were there any persons driven off' from that box. 
Answer — No. 

3812. Question — Did you have tickets of both parties there ? 
Answer — There were two sorts of tickets there, and EdAvard Chambers 

managed the votes, and when the colored people came and asked for a 
vote, he asked them what sort they wanted, and he then handed them the 
votes ; there was never a more honorable election made in South Carolina? 

3813. Question — Were there many colored persons voted ? 
Answer — I think about 80. 

8814. Question — Did the white people in your country, to the best of 
your knowledge and belief, make an effort to keep the black people away 
from voting by scaring them ? 

Answer — I never heard of it, and I know, to my own knowledge, I 
never heard of it ; there were none to my knowledge 

3815. Question — Did the colored people in your vicinity generally 
vote? 

Answer — I don't know ; they might have voted stronger ; at the same 
time, I expect all voted that were eligible ; there was not a harmful word 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 259 



said to any of tliem ; there might have been a few who didu't vote, 
because they were not registered. 

3816. (by Mr. Smalls) — You said that you were a box-holder ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3817. Question — You said you had three boxes? 
Answer — I think so. 

3818. Question — Can't you recollect distinctly ? 

Answer — If there were three required we had them ; there might have 
been only two ; but I don't remember about it now. 

3819. Question — We want to know how many you had ? 

Answer — Well, I say, to the best of my knowledge, there were three. 

3820. Question — Please state what those three boxes were used for. 
Answer — One was for Hoge, and one for Reed, (opposing candidates for 

Congress). 

3821. Question — You had boxes then ; one for Hoge, one for Reed 
and one for Presidential Electors? 

Answer — I think the votes for Hoge and Reed were put in the same 
box. Hoge and Reed were for Representatives, I think ; well, I will say, 
if there were not three boxes necessary, we didn't have them. I forget 
about it now. 

3822. Question — To refresh your memory, did the Republicans vote 
in one box and the Democrats in another? 

Answer — No ; no such thing. 

3823. Question (by Mr. Crews) — There should not have been more 
than two boxes ? 

Answer — Well, there might have been only two, and I might be mis- 
taken about there being three, but I think I have seen three at other 
elections. 

3824. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You say there were about eighty 
colored men who voted at your poll ? 

Answer — I think so. 

3825. Question — Are there not a larger number around that settle- 
ment? 

Answer — There might have been more votes given at some other time, 
but I don't know. 

3826. Question — You say no one was driven away ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3827. Question — Could there not have been some driven away, and 
you, being in the house, not know it? 

Answer — I don't think so. 

3828. Question — Did you go out occasionally to see ? 
Answer — I didn't go out. 

3829. Question — There could have been men out in the bushes ? 
Answer — Yes ; but I didn't see them. 

3830. Question — You would not venture to say, on your oath, that 
none were driven away ? 

Answer — At the polls there were none driven off. 

3831. Question — Was it not generally rumored, a few days prior to 
the election, that on the day of election they would drive them from the 
poll, and not let them vote the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — If there was, I didn't hear it. 



260 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3832. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were there not white men at 
your poll that were taking down the names of colored men voting the 
Kepublican ticket ? 

Answer — If there were, they had no need of it. 

3833. Question — Don't you, of your own knowledge, know that they 
were there ? 

Answer — I don't think so. 

3834. Question — Please freshen up your memory. 
Answer — If they did, there was no use for it. 

3835. Question — What was Jim Gary doing at the box ? 
Answer — I don't know that he was there at all that day. 

3836. Question — Are you certain ? 

Answer — I don't know that he was. If he was, I can't recollect it. 
He might have come and voted. 

3837. Question — Would you be willing to swear that he was not stand- 
ing there writing down the names of colored men voting the Kepublican 
ticket ? 

Answer — He was not there all day. 

3838. Question — He did it, then, when the majority of the colored 
men cast their ballots ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

3839. Question — How many colored men did you have registered on 
your books ? 

Answer — I don't know, for I didn't attend to the books. 

3840. Question — About what number would you say ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

3841. Question — What did you observe to colored men that day? 
Answer — I don't recollect. 

3842. Question — Your memory is not good ? 
Answer — No, not as good as it has been. 

3843. Question — Are you a planter ? 
Answer — I am a planter. 

3844. Question — Do you employ colored men on your place? 
Answer — I have thirteen. 

3845. Question — Did you not insist on them voting the Democratic 
ticket ? 

Answer — Not that day ; before that I might. 

3846. Question — Did you tell them, prior to that day, that you would 
not employ them, and had no use for them ? 

Answer — I don't think so ; but some of them were talking in the So- 
ciety of having that put in the by-laws. 

3847. Question — AVhat Society was that ? 
Answer — The Democratic Society. 

3848. Question — Where did they hold the meetings of that Society ? 
Answer — At Jalapa. 

3849. Question — Were you an active member of that Society ? 
Answer-— Yes, a dead-head ; I mean, I had nothing to do with any of 

their writings or petitions. 

3850. Question — Did you know of any resolution being passed in re- 
lation to employment of colored people ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 261 



Answer — It never went into operation ; I told you it was talked about 
in the the Society, but it didn't pass. 

3851. Question — Were there not circulars issued to that effect? 
Answer — Not that I saw. 

3852. Question — You heard tell of it, though ? 
Answer — Not in our Club. 

3853. Question — In any other Clubs? 

Answer — I think I heard there were some passed. 

3854. Question — About how many colored persons were rejected on 
that day at the polls ? 

Answer — I told you before, if there were I didu't recollect it. 

3855. Question — When the white men cast their votes, did you look at 
the books ? 

Answer — I didn't handle the papers. 

3856. Question — In any instance, did you look ? 
Answer — I didn't handle the papers. 

3857. Question — Did you attend the celebration here on the same day 
that Minor, a colored man, spoke at the court house ? 

Answer — No. 

3858. Question — Were you acquainted with Fitzgerald, Murtishaw or 
Gist? 

Answer — No. I know Dick Gist, but if I saw Fitzgerald or Murti- 
shaw I didn't know them. 

3859. Question — Did general rumor say that Gist -was at the head of 
an organized band, called the Ku Klux Klan? 

Answer — I don't think I ever heard of it. 

3860. Question — Ever hear of the Ku Klux ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3861. Question — Did you know of it ? 

Answer — No body pointed any out ; if there was one in the country I 
never saw him. 

3862. Question (by Mr. Crews) — There were such people there ? 
Answer — I never saw them ; that was the chat. 

3863. Question — On the day of election, and prior thereto, was not the 
feeling bitter between the Democrats and Republicans ? 

Answer — I know nothing of it ; I am not a public man. 

3861. Question — Didn't you hear of a number of men being turned 
off their places, after voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I don't think I know of any in our settlement being driven 
off, because they voted the Radical ticket. 

3865. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You have said, that you think there 
was a man voted from Laurens ; now, what reason have you to think there 
was a man voted at that box from Laurens ? 

Answer — He might have registered in Newberry, but I don't know 
where he registered. 

3866. Question — I say, why do you think he was from Laurens ? 
Answer — I don't recollect why I think so ; that was the chat. 

3867. Question — Whom was that chat among? 
Answer — I don't recollect. 

3868. Question — Do you know whether there were men voted from 
other Counties ? 



262 INVESTIGATIXG COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I dou't think there were. 

3869. Question — You said you didn't have anything to do with the 
books ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3870. Question — Did you know every person that came there to vote ? 
Answer — I think I did the whites, but not the blacks. 

3871. Question — Was this man, that you supposed to be from Laurens, 
a white or black man ? 

Answer — A white man. 

8872. Question — Did you know him ? 

Answer — I don't recollect whether I did or not. 

3873. Question — You said you knew every white man that voted ; 
that leads me to ask if you knew the man that voted from Laurens ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I think I knew every white man that voted ? 

3874. Question — Did you desire that no one should vote there but 
residents? 

Answer — Yes. 

3875. Question — Then, why didn't you challenge his vote? 
Answer — I suppose it was challenged. 

3876. Question — Do you know that ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

3877. Question — Do you know who challenged him ? 

Answer — The book keeper, if he was challenged at all ; I didn't say 
he voted. 

3878. Question — Then you say if he was challenged, the book keeper 
did it ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I don't know whether he was challenged or not. 

3879. Question — Do you know the name of the Laurens man that 
voted? 

Answer — No ; if he did vote at all ; I might have known him, but I 
didn't positively say he did vote. , 

3880. Question — You said you thought there was one ? 
Answer — Yes. 

Levi Scott, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

3881. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Levi Scott. 

3882. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3883. Question — How far do you live from here ? 

Answer — Three and a half miles, straight down the Greenville Eail- 
road. 

3884. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3885. Question — Where did you vote ? 
Answer — Here, at the court house. 

3886. Question — Do you know of any threats used to keep persons from 
voting as they saw fit ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3887. Question — Please state what they were ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONALf DISTRICT, S. C. 26c 



Answer — Levi Britt asked me what ticket I was going to vote, and I 
told him I didn't know. He said he could tell. I asked him what one. 
He said the Democratic ticket. I said : " I am not the man." He said : 
" If you are not, you will go up." I said : " If I go up, I guess I will 
come down again." He said : " If you do, the buzzards Avill pick your 
bones." I said : " If I do, it won't be the first man." Then Mr. Jacob 
Sligh told me : " I am a friend to you, and, in general, all the white 
folks think well of you, and if you vote the ticket I want you to vote, you 
will fare Vvcll everywhere, and if you don't vote that ticket, you need not 
expect to live about here." In January, this man, Levi Britt, asked me 
why I took his calf. I asked him : " Did I take it ?" He said : " Yes." 
I asked him if he could prove it. He said : " There is proof enough." I 
told him if I did it, to prove it. He said he would tell me this much, 
that if I didn't leave here very shortly, I would never leave. I asked 
him what would hinder me from leaving. He said : " If you don't, I will 
put powder and lead into you." I said: " Well, you will have it to do." 
He said : " I gave you Avarning last year, before you voted, and you would 
not take it; now, you will never leave." 

3888. Question — Do you know of any threats made to other persons to 
keep them from voting as they saw fit ? 

Answer — Allen Hawkins made threats ; he had two men hired on his 
place, and he never allowed them to have an opportunity to register their 
names. 

3889. Question — How do yoii know ? 
Answer — Willis and Sam told me. 
Mr. Wright — That is not evidence. 

3890. Question — How do you know that persons were turned ofl' for 
voting ? 

Answer — Allen Hawkins told me so ; he asked me what ticket I was 
going to vote, and I told him the Radical ticket ; he then said no nigger 
should stay on his land that voted the Radical ticket ; and also said : "I 
have two niggers at my house that have not registered, and when they 
do, they are done staying on my land." The day I voted here those two 
men slipped oft', at dinner time, and got here late in the evening, and 
then went back home, and had to leave the next day. 

3891. Question — Do you know anything about persons being killed ? 
Answer — I know of one killed, over three years ago. 

3892. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you know of the existence, 
prior to and at the late general election, of armed bauds of men called 
the Ku Klux, going about threatening to kill people ? 

Answer — No, but I heard of it. 

3893. Question — Did you vote at the general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3894. Question— At what poll ? 
Answer — Here (at the Court House). 

3895. Question — Did any one try to prevent you from voting ? 
Answer — No ; only talked to me, to get me to not come and vote. 

3896. Question — No further than you have already said ? 
Answer — No. 

3897. Question — Were you turned oft' your place after voting ? 
Answer — No. 



264 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



William Bradley, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

3898. Question — Do you reside in this County ? 
Answer — I live one mile and a half from here. 

3899. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — I have lived in the town since Christmas. I had to leave the 

place, (five miles from here,) where I Avas previously living. 

3900. Question — Where were you living at the time of the late gen- 
eral election ? 

Answer — At Jeflf Galmann's ; five miles from here. 

3901. Question — Why did you leave Galmann's ? Did he turn you 
off? 

Answer — About the time of the election he told me if I voted the 
Radical ticket, I would have to leave his place, because he was not going 
to keep a damned Radical on his place. 

o90'I. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 

Answer — He told me that he Avas going to have men at the forks of 
the road. 

3903. Question — For what purpose ? 

Answer — Why, if any Radical started, they would stop him from com- 
ing to the election. 

3904. Question — What poll was the neax-est to where you resided ? 
Answer — I registered at Newberry, and I voted at same place. 

3905. Question — After Mr. Galman acquainted you with the fact that 
he Avould have men stationed at the forks of the road to prevent you and 
other colored men from coming into town on the day of the late general 
election, did that threat deter you from voting ? 

Answer — Yes ; I left tlie evening previous to the day of election, and 
came near to the place where he was going to have his men stationed. 

3906. Question — Then, the reason you started the night previous was 
because you were afraid you would be waylaid ? 

Answer — Yes ; I was afraid I would be destroyed. 

3907. Question — Did you hear any threats made to other men on your 
place ? 

Answer — There were several men situated as I was. 

3908. Question — You mean the same angry language used towards 
yourself ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3909. Question — You know, to your certain knowledge, that he (Gal- 
mann) used threatening language to other colored men on your place ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3910. Question — Did any of the other colored men accompany you to 
town the night previous to the day of the general election ? 

Answer — My brother and myself only. 

3911. Question — Did you vote at the late general election? 
Answer — Yes. 

3912. Question — Did you vote at this box, (Newberry) ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3913. Question — Did you go back to Jeff Galman's? 
Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 265 



3914. Question — What did he say to you when you returned ? 
Answer — He asked me whether I had voted ; and I told him I had put 

in a paper. 

3915. Question — Did you know what that paper was ? 
Answer — I did ; but I didn't want to tell him. 

3916. Question — Were you afraid to tell him ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3917. Question — Well, did he say anything to you ? 

Answer — He quit talking with me, and went to his mother and said : 
" He (I) would vote if he had to go through hell to do it." 

3918. Question — Did he turn you off of his place ? 

Answer — He told me, at Christmas, that I had to bundle up and 
leave. 

3919. Question — Were you working under contract? 
Answei' — Yes ; for one-third of the crop. 

3920. Question — Did he furnish you with provisions ? 
Answer — No ; I supplied myself. 

3921. Question — Wiien did you make that contract? 
Answer — About the 1st of January the year previous. 

3922. Question — Did you receive your share of the crop? 

Answer — Yes ; he gave me some corn, and some cotton money, but I 
had to take it just as I could get it. 

3923. Question — Then, I understand you failed to receive your share, 
which was one-third of the crop ? 

Answer — I have never received any wheat straw, chaff, or pea hulls. 

3924. Question — You have stated that, prior to the late general elec- 
tion, Mr. Galman informed you that he would have men stationed at the 
cross roads, to prevent yourself and others from coming in town to vote 
the Republican ticket ; now, do you know whether he had such men 
to i^ost at those places. 

Answer-I was afraid to come on that day, because he might have had 
his men there, as he had told me beforehand. 

3925. Question — Did he carry a pistol on his person ? 
Answer — Yes, one generally buckled around him. 

3926. Question — Did you ever see any white men at his house, in a 
body of half a dozen or more ? 

Answer — I cannot say how many ; there would be a crowd — they had 
a Club at another man's house. 

8927. Question — What was the name of the proprietor of the house 
where the Club met ? 

Answer — I think it was Mr. Halfacre. 

3928. Question — Do you know any of the white men who atten4ed 
the meetings of that C/lub ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I am speaking here, and I don't know what will 
become of me afterwards. 

3929. Question — Have any persons threatened you, that if you told 
of those occurrences, they would injure you ? 

Answer — No. 

3930. Question — Then speak out like a man. 
Answer — Yes, but I have to work out in the fields. 

34 



266 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3931. Question (by Mr, Mclntyre) — No one will hurt you ; give us 
the names? 

Answer — He told me if I voted, to leave liis place. 

3932. Question — You have already stated that. Did he tell you if 
you gave evidence here he would turn you off? 

Answer — I am not living there ; I am living now on the Croadles 
place. 

393.}. Question — Did he tell you if you gave evidence he would turn 
you off? 

Answer — I am afraid of that fellow, (Galmann,) for he told me he 
would put a daylight hole through me. 

3934. Question— Give us the names of those parties, that you knew 
attended the Club. Was Dick Gist one of them ? 

Answer — I didn't see Gist there, but he told me that he had a com- 
pany to station on the other road. 

3935. Question — Did Murtishaw attend that Club ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

3936. Question — Didn't you see them when they came to that house ? 
Answer — They had a Club at Mr. Halfacre's. 

3937. Question — Do you know one Fitzgerald, a white man ? 
Answer — No. 

James Butler, (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

3938. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3939. Question — How long have you resided here ? 
Answer — All my life. 

3940. Question— How far do you live from town ? 
Answer — Two and a-half miles. 

3941. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answ^er — No. 

3942. Question — Why didn't you vote ? 
Answer — I was sick in bed. 

3943. Question — Do you know of threats made, to keep any person or 
persons from voting ? 

Answer — No ; I was sick six weeks before the election. 

3944. Question — Do you know anything relative to outrages commit- 
ted upon colored people, by whites, to keep them from voting ? 

Answer — No. 

Jeff Campbell, (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3945. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3946. Question — How long have you resided here ? 
Answer — Since the surrender. 

3947. Question — How far do you live from this town ? 
Answer — Two miles. 

3948. Question — Did you vote at the late general election 7 
Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 267 



3949. Question — At what poll did you vote ? 
Answer — Here at the court house. 

3950. Question — Do you know anything in relation to outrages com- 
mitted in this County ? 

Answer — Only what happened to myself. Mr. Gist and four men 
overtook me as I was leaving town, near where Mr. Boyle lived, last 
year. 

3951. Question — How far from town ? 
Answer — One and a-half miles. 

3952. Question — Did that occur prior to or since the late general elec- 
tion? 

Answer — Since. 

3953. Question — Do you know about anything that occurred prior to 
or on the day of the late general election ? 

Answer — No ; I was sick in bed before the election. 
8954. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You say you do not know anything 
relative to outrages, intimidations, &c.? 
Answer — I do not. 

William E. Hardy, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3955. Question — Were you one of the Managers of Election, at the 
late general election ? 

Answer — Yes ; at Maybinton. 

3956. Question — Were there any disturbances at the polls that day ? 
Answer — A more peaceable election was never conducted anywhere. 

No disturbances occurred, 

3957. Question — Did any persons vote who were not residents of New- 
berry County ? 

Answer — One voted. I objected to receiving his vote. The person I 
allude to is Mr. Simeon Coats, and he was staying temporarily over in 
Fairfield County. 

3958. Question — Where was his home ? 
Answer — In this County. He said he paid taxes. 

3959. Question — Did you swear him ? 

Answer — No ; he was a young man of good character, and it was un- 
necessary to swear him. I objected, as my understanding was that a 
man could not vote there unles he was registered. My objection, how- 
ever, Avas overruled, 

3960. Question — Were all the persons that voted at Maybinton regis- 
tered on your books ? 

Answer — I think all except this one case. 

3961. Question — Were any persons driven off and not allowed to vote? 
Answer — Not that I know of 

3962. Question — Did any colored persons vote there ? 

Answer — -One came there early, and wanted to vote. I told him we 
had no Radical tickets, and that we had no waiting paper, but if he 
would procure some, and tell me who the candidates were, I would write 
him a ticket. 

3963. Question — Were there no other colored men at the poll that day 
except the one you allude to ? 



268 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No ; he was the only one that offered to vote that ticket. 
There were two or three that voted the Democratic ticket. 

3964. Question — Did those colored persons stay there all day ? 
Answer — A good many came up here, (Newberry C. H.) 

3965. Question — Why did they come here ? 

Answer — Well, after we opened the polls the drove left, as they didn't 
know who to vote for, there being no Radical tickets at our poll. 

3966. Question — About how many colored men came there that morn- 
ing? 

Answer — I cannot tell ; I didn't see them come. I understood seven- 
teen or eighteen of them came here to town and voted. They left when 
they found there were no tickets. 

3967. Question — Have any of the colored persons complained to you 
since the election that they were halted on the road to or from Maybin- 
ton, and not allowed to go and vote ? 

Answer — No ; I never heard of that before. 

3968. Question — Did you see any persons armed on the day of elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — I never saw a weapon of any kind there. There might have 
been a dozen, for all I know, but I didn't see them. 

3969. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What number of colored men 
registered at your box? 

Answer — I don't recollect. 

3970. Question — What number do you suppose ? 

Answer — I don't know ; to tell it would be but guess work. I don't 
think, however, there were many. 

3971. Question — About Avhat number of colored men came there to 
vote? 

Answer — I don't know, for I was in the room all day. 

3972. Question — Did you hear of a large number outside? 

Answer — No ; unless they came from other places, there could not have 
been many, as the population in our neighborhood is small. 

3973. Question — When a white man cast his ballot, did you refer to 
the Registration books ? 

Answer — Yes ; because I didn't think we had a right to take a vote 
not registered at Maybinton. 

3974. Question — About what number did you allow to vote, whose 
names were not on tiie Registration books? 

Answer — I don't think any but Mr. Coats, I had the paper of in- 
structions to Managers, and I didn't think they had the right to vote. 

3975. Question — How many persons voted at your poll ? 
Answer — I forget how many. 

3976. Question — What were your duties as Manager ? 

Answer — My instructions from Mr. Peterson, (Commissioner of Elec- 
tion,) was to conduct the election same as former elections. I have been 
a Manager for fifteen years. 

3977. Question — What part of the duty of Manager did you perform? 
Answer — I did knoAv them, but I forget now. 

3978. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Can you not state about hoAv many 
persons voted at your box ? 

Answer — I am not positive of the number. I think about forty-four. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 269 



3979. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How many of those forty-four that 
voted were white men ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

3980. Question — How many colored persons voted? 
Answer — Four or five. 

3981. Question— What ticket did they vote? 
Answer— The Democratic ticket. 

3982. Question — Do you belong to the Democratic Club in your 
neighborhood ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3983. Question — Were you present at a meeting of the Club, when an 
interesting discussion took place relative to employment of colored peo- 
ple as laborers ? 

Answer — Yes; and I objected to it. 

3984. Question— Why? 

Answer — Because I thought every freeman in the country had a right 
to his political principles, if he was a nigger, for we wanted them as la- 
borers, or our plantations would lay at Avaste. 

3985. Question — Did that resolution pass ? 
Answer — No, it was lost. 

3986. Question — Can you state the subject matter of the proposition 
made? 

Answer — No, for I am hard of hearing ; the subject was put to me, I 
being the largest landholder in the neighborhood, and I objected, for the 
reasons stated. 

3987. Question — Was the subject matter like this : not to employ col- 
ored persons who voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — Yes ; something of that character. The resolution was laid 
on the table. 

3988. Question — Was there another organization in your vicinity, 
aside from the Democratic Club ? 

Answer — Not that I knew of. 

3989. Question — Was there not a Union League? 

Answer — I heard it spoken of, but I don't think there was one started. 

3990. Question — Who brought the Democratic tickets to the polls ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

3991. Question — Did you hear it said why the Republican tickets 
Avere not there ? 

Answer — No ; we thought they didn't receive them here (Newberry) 
in time to send out ; that is only what I understood. 

3992. Question — Did you generally attend the meetings of the Club ? 
Answer — Very seldom ; I think I was there about three times. 

J. T. Bynum, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3993. Question — What is your name, in full ? 
Answer — J. T. Bynum. 

3994. Question — How long have you been a resident of Newberrv 
County? 

Answer — I married here in 1864, and lived here in 1865 and 1866, and 



270 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



in 1867 I moved down below Columbia, and stayed there until January, 
1868. 

3995. Question — Were you a Manager of Election at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — I was. 

3996. Question — At what box ? 
Answer — At the Maybiuton box. 

3997. Question — Was there a disturbance at Maybinton on the day of 
election ? 

Answer — None that I saw. 

3998. Question — Did any persons vote at Maybinton who Avere not 
residents of Newberry County ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge ; I was not there all day, but I judge 
from the poll list. 

3999. Question — How many votes were polled at Maybinton? 
Answer — Forty or forty-one, I think. 

4000. Question — Were any persons driven off from the box that day ? 
Answer — None that I saw. 

4001. Question — Were there any colored persons at the polls that day? 
AnsAver — I didn't see any of them vote. 

4002. Question — Do you know Avhy they didn't vote ? 

Answer — There were some voted ; but whilst I was at the box, I didn't 
hear any apply to vote. 

4003. Question — Well, then, you do not know the reason why they 
did not vote ? 

Answer — No. 

4004. Question — Was there a large crowd of colored persons there 
that day ? 

Answer — I saw three or four ; I heard there were more there, in the 
morning, while I was away from the box. 

4005. Question — Did you see any armed persons about Maybinton that 
day? 

Answer — No. 

4006. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Do you know about what num- 
ber of colored men were registered ? 

Answer — No, I can't tell ; the books will show. 

4007. Question — You say you were there a portion of the day ? 
Answer — Yes, but not all the day ; I was in Columbia, and could not 

get up here in time, (although a Manager,) but I got there about half 
past one or two o'clock. 

4008. Question — Did any one vote after you reached the polls ? 
Answer — Yes ; I voted myself. 

4009. Question — When they voted, did you refer to the registration 
books ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4010. Question — In every instance, did the Managers do so? 
Answ^er — Yes, while I was there. 

4011. Question — Do you know what number of colored persons voted 
that day ? 

Answer — I suppose five or six — may have been more ; I can't state 
exactly. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 271 



4012. Question — Could you make a supposition of about what num- 
ber of colored persons were registered ? 

Answer — No. 

4013. Question — Just a guess ? 

Answer — No ; I never made any calculation ; there may have been 
seventy or eighty, but I cannot say ; I think there were a good many 
registered there who had moved out of the precinct. 

4014. Question — Were there any Republican tickets at your poll ? 
Answ^er — None that I saw. 

4015. Question — Do you know the reason they were not there? 
Answei- — No. 

4016. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — I think you stated you were not in 
the County three or four months preceding the election ; did I so un- 
derstand you ? 

Answer — I came in January, 1868. 

4017. Question — Did you hear a rumor circulating about the precinct 
that any colored person Avho voted the Radical ticket would not be em- 
ployed on the plantations ? 

Answer — I heard such a rumor among the colored persons, but not 
among the whites. We had a Democratic Club, at Maybinton, and a 
resolution, something to the efiect of that rumor, was brought up before 
the election, but through the exertion of myself and three or four other 
members of the Club, Ave voted it down, and refused to pass any such 
resolution. 

4018. Question — Then, to the best of your knowledge and belief, this 
report was gotten up by a few individuals who had no interest there, and 
it did not meet the approval of a majority of the citizens ? 

Answer — Exactly ; it did not, and we voted it down. I had a good 
many colored persons in my employ, and I advised them to go to May- 
binton and vote — expecting there would be tickets for them. 

4019. Question — Did or did not general rumor state, that persons on 
the road prevented the Republican tickets from being carried there ? 

Answer — I never heard it. 

Antony Brown, (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

4020. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Antony Brown. 

4021. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? if so, state how 
long. 

Answer — I have resided here in Newberry about twenty years. 

4022. Question — Do you reside in the town ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4023. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Employed at General Kinard's livery stable. 

4024. Question — Were you here the day Associate Justice Hoge de- 
livered a speech at the court house? 

Answer — Yes ; I was at the stable, and didn't go to hear the speech ? 

4025. Question — Did any persons put up horses at your stable that 
morning ? 

Answer — No. 



272 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



4026. Question — At any time during the day ? 
Answer — No. 

4027. Question — Did you furnish horses to any persons that day ? 
Answer — Wait. I think the day Mr. Hoge spoke, Mr. Kitchen put 

up his horse. 

4028. Question — About what time in the day ? 
Answer — In the morning, between ten and eleven o'clock. 

4029. Question — What instructions did he give you ? 
Answer — None ; he came in the evening, and got his horse. 

4030. Question — What do you call evening; about three or four 
o'clock ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4031. Question — What color was Mr. Kitchen's horse? 
Answer — A dark bay. 

4032. Question — When Mr. Kitchen came to get his horse that even- 
ing, did any body accompany him ? 

Answer — No ; but several other men put their horses over in a lot. 

4033. Question — About what time was that ? 
Answer — Soon in the morning. 

4034. Question — Did you recognize any of those persons ? 
Answer — One. 

4035. Question — What was his name? 
Answer — Mr. Murtishaw. 

4036. Question — Did you recognize none of the other men ? 
Answer — Mr. Bas Blease came there, when they took their horses 

out. 

4037. Question — Was he on horseback ? 

Answer — No ; just walking down Avith them. They had been down 
several times during the day, and I locked the gate, and asked for pay 
as the lot is next to our stable. 

4038. Question — How many composed that party ? 
Answer — Four or five. 

4039. Question — Was Murtishaw one of them? 

Answer — Yes; he threatened to hit me with a stick, for asking pay 
for putting the horses in the lot. He said he would burst my head open 
with his stick, if I asked him for pay again. 

4040. Question — In the evening, when they took their horses away, 
did you see in what direction they rode? 

Answer — Yes ; towards the College. 

4041. Question — Did you hear them conversing, while in the lot ? 
Answer — No. 

4042. Question — Did you watch them, to see how far they went ? 
Answer — No ; I was busy hitching up Mr. Tom Bynum's horse. 

4043. Question — How long, after they left, did Bynum get his horse ? 
Answer — Half an hour. 

4044. Question — In what direction did he go ? 
Answer — Up the street, in a north-easterly direction. 

4045. Question — What instructions did Mr. Bynum give you ? 
Answer — Only to hitch up his horse ; and I afterwads hitched up Mr. 

Kitchen's horse. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 



4046. Question— Was Kitckeu one of tlie party of four or five you 
saw? 

Answer — No. 

4047. Question — Did you vote at the late general election? 
Answer — Yes. 

4048. Question— Where ? 
Answer — Here in town. 

4049. Question — Did any persons ever threaten you about voting ? 
Answer — No. 

4050. Question — Was it usual for those persons to put their horses in 
that lot, when they came to town ? 

Answer — No ; Murtishaw generally put his horse in the stable. 

Z. L. White, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

4051. Question — What is your name, in full? 
Answer — Z. L. White. 

4052. Question — How long have you been a resident of Newberry 
County ? 

Answer — Since 1850, I think. 

4053. Question — Do you know anything relative to outrages commit- 
ted in this County previous to the late general election? 

Answer— Only from hearsay. At the time Judge Hoge spoke here in 
town I only heard loud talking, and saw him when he passed my door ; 
and at the time Charles Montgomery and Wilson had a little noise be- 
tween them, I only saw them pass my door. 

4054. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — No. 

4055. Question — Did you belong to any political organization ? 
Answer — No. 

4056. Question (by Mr. AVright)— Why didn't you vote ? 

Answer — I didn't vote because there was such an excitement, and I 
didn't like the way things were being managed ; it was said if I voted 
the Democratic ticket, it would only be because I was afraid to vote the 
other ticket. 

4057. Question — You say you didn't vote because there was so much 
excitement, and bad feeling exhibited ? 

Answer — I knew if I voted the Democratic ticket, it would be a vote 
lost, and if I had voted the Radical ticket, I think I would have been in 
danger of my life. I would have been afraid to vote it. 

4058. Question — Why do you say you were afraid to vote, and that 
your life would have been in danger ? 

Answer — I heard enough to satisfy me, and I had been insulted. I 
was taken for a Radical by some of those inen that raised disturbances. 

4059. Question — Was there or was there not, a bitter feeling existing 
among Democrats against Republicans ? 

Answer — I think there was. 

4060. Question — From Avhat you have seen, and from what you have 
heard, to the best of your knowledge and belief, do you think that any 
white man was safe to come out and proclaim his sentiments if he were 
with the Radicals ? 

35 



274 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

Answer — I don't think he was at that time, or is yet. 

4061. Question— How long have you lived in this State? 
Answer — Since 1850. 

4062. Question — Have you voted here before the war ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4063. Question — Have you voted since the war ? 

Answer — I think I did, at the time when Charles Montgomery, State 
Senator, was elected. 

4064. Question — You said you were here the day Judge Hoge spoke ? 
Answer — I was in my shop, and not over to the court house, where he 

made the speech, I heard some loud talking, and saw Hoge, Lee Nance, 
Jim Henderson, and some others, pass by my door, and then a crowd of 
white men followed on to the depot. 

4065. Question — Did those white men look or act as though they de- 
sired to commit some act of violence on Mr. Hoge? 

Answer — It looked so to me. 

4066. Question — Did you expect it, from the way they acted? 
Answer — I w-as afraid something would take place over at the depot. 

4067. Question — Did the colored people seem to be protecting him ? 
Answer — Yes ; there were some with him, but not many. 

4068. Question — Have you attended any political meetings here? 
Answer — Living near the court house, I have heard some speeches, but 

I have never been to any inside of the court house. 

4069. Question — Did you hear the speech delivered by Associate Jus- 
tice Hoge ? 

Answer — Not that I remember. 

4070. Question — Were you here the morning Lee Nance was killed ? 
Answer — Yes ; at work in my shop. 

4071. Question — Were you acquainted with either of the parties sup- 
posed to have committed the deed ? 

Answer — I used to know one of them, but I would not know him now. 

4072. Question — Did you know him before or since the war? 
Answer — Since the war. 

4073. Question — Were you acquainted with Mr. Nance ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4074. Question — What kind of a man was he? what was his character ? 
Answer — Good, as far as I know^ ; I don't know anything to the con- 
trary. 

4075. Question — Was he, to your knowledge, an adviser of the colored 
people about here ? 

Answer — I think he was. 

4076. Question — Have you ever heard it rumored why he was killed ? 
Answer — I don't think I have. 

4077. Question — Have you or have you not heard a rumor that all 
colored people that voted the Radical ticket would not be employed ? 

Answer — I have heard that said. 

4078. Question — That has been the general rumor ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4079. Question — From what you have seen and from what you have 
heard, to the best of your knowledge and belief, were the colored people 
intimidated by these threats ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 275 



Answer — Of course, I think so. 

4080. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said you were afraid to vote the 
Republican ticket? 

Answer — I said, had I chose to vote, I Avould have been afraid to have 
done so. 

4081. Question — Had any man been injured or killed in this County, 
for his political opinions. 

Answer — I should think so. 

4082. Question — Name the men killed for their political opinions ? 
Answer — I have no doubt Johnson Stuart and Lee Nance were killed 

for their political opinions. 

4083. Question — Do you think Republicans ever committed violence 
on members of the Democratic party ? 

Answer — So far as I know they have not. 

4084. Question — Do you know that the Democratic party committed 
acts of violence on the Republican party ? 

Answer — It is hearsay to me. 

4085. Question — Have you never heard that the Republican party 
committed acts of violence on the Democratic party, the same as you 
heard of others ; hearsay, I mean ? 

Answer — No. 

4086. Question — Didn't you hear it rumored, that members of the Re- 
publican party had fired on a young man, named Daniel AVard ? 

Answer — I did hear that, but I forgot about it. 

4087. Question — You said you believed that Stuart and Nance had 
been killed for their political opinions ; do you or do you not think Ward 
was shot because he was a Democrat ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

4088. Question — Have you or have you not the same grounds for be- 
lieving that it was Republicans that shot "Ward, as you have for believing 
that Democrats shot Nance? 

Answer — I do not. 

William J. Harp, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

4089. Question — What is your name, in full ? 
Answer — William J. Harp. 

4090. Question — How long have you been a resident of Newberry 
County? 

Answer— Nineteen or twenty years. 

4091. Question — Were you a Manager of Election, at the last general 
election ? 

Answer — No. 

4092. Question — In Avhat portion of the County do you reside ? 
Answer — In this town. 

4093. Question — Do you knoAV anything about outrages committed 
during the few months preceding the last general election ? 

Answer — I do not. 

4094. Question — Were you here on the day of the general election ? 
Answer — I was. 

4095. Question — Did you see any disturbances ? 



27G INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No ; I was here until two o'clock, and then rode down to 
Frog Level. 

4096. Question — Did you see any disturbances about Frog Level ? 
Answer — No ; all was quiet. 

4097. Question — Were you a member of the Democratic Club here? 
Answer — No, but I am a Democrat. 

4098. Question — Do you know of any efforts having been made to in- 
timidate the colored people ? 

Answer — No. 

4099. Question — Do you know anything about the shooting of young 
Ward ? 

Answer — No. 

4100. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said you were in town on the 
day of election, until 2 o'clock, and then rode down to Frog Level. 
Who accompanied you ? 

Answer — I went alone. 

4101. Question — Did you meet any of your friends? 
Answer — No. 

4102. Question — Did you meet any colored people on the road? 
Answer — Not going, but one or two coming back. 

4103. Question — Then you didn't see any of those men, said to have 
been stationed on the roads, to prevent colored people from coming to the 
polls ? 

Answer — No. 

4104. Question — Did you frequently ride about the country? 
Answer — No. 

4105. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you in town the day a col- 
ored man, named Minor, harangued the people at tlie Court House ? 

Answer — Not that I recollect. 

4106. Question — Were you here the day Associate Justice Hoge made 
a speech at the Court House? 

Answer — Yes, in town, but not on the streets. 

4107. Question — Did you hear considerable noise and uproar in town 
that day ? 

Answer — No, not a thing 

On motion, at 2 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 4 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

The Committee met at 4 P. M. 

Bay lis Buzzard, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

4108. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes ; I live two miles from town. 

4109. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised in it. 

4110. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
AnsAver — No. 



THIKD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 277 



4111. Question— Why didn't you? 

Answer — Well, I promised my hands if they would stay at home, and 
work, I would stay with them, and I did, but I told them I wolud cast 
my vote if they cast theirs. 

4112. Question — How many hands did you have in your employ? 
Answer — Four men able to vote ; I think one did vote. 

4113. Question — Are you a member of any political organization? 
Answer — No. 

4114. Question — With Avhich political party do you affiliate? 
Answer — I don't belong to any party, but if I did, it would be the 

Democratic. 

4115. Question — With which party did the men working for you 
affiliate ? 

Answer — I think the Radical. 

4116. Question — Did you have any conversation with them in refer- 
ence to voting ? 

Answer — Yes, wath them all ; some said if they did vote they would 
vote the Radical ticket. 

4117. Question — Didn't you make a mutual agreement with them to 
stay at home and you would stay at home on the day of election ? 

vVnswer — Yes. 

4118. Question — Are you a planter? 
Answer — Yes. 

4119. Question — Are these same men still in your employ? 
Answer — All but one. 

4120. Question — Did he leave you of his own free will and accord ? 
Answer — Yes, and has sent me word he would like to come back ; and 

I promised to take him back next year. Pie was, when he left, working 
with men that were working for part of the crop ; I mean, one of the 
men engaged in the crop hired him. 

4121. Question — The man that left, was he the one that voted ? 
Answer — If any voted, he was the one. I asked him if he did, but 

he said he didn't ; but, as he had been here in town, I guess he did. 

4122. Question — Why did you ask him ? 

Answer — Oh, nothing in particular ; I thought he had voted, and I 
simply asked him, but he said he had not voted. 

4123. Question — Did not some of the other men go off your place 
that day ? 

AnsAver — I think not. 

4124. Question — Did you ask them whether they had gone oft' and 
voted ? 

Answer — No. 

4125. Question — Then, why so anxious about the man that had srone 
off? 

Answer — Well, I was sitting on the steps of my house when he came 
up, and I can't tell you why I asked him if he had voted ; it just come 
out as we were talking. 

4126. Question — Did you, or did you not, ask him in order to ascer- 
tain whether he had, on his part, broken the contract you made in rela- 
tion to votino; ? 



278 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I can't tell ; we Avere just talking, and I don't know why I 
asked him, for I didn't care particularly about it. 

4127. Question — Did you ever attend any Democratic or Republican 
meetings ? 

Answer — Yes. ^ 

4128. Question — How many? 

Answer — I don't knoAv how many ; most any day there was one. I 
attended both Democratic and Radical meetings. 

4129. Question — Were you here the day Associate Justice Hoge 
spoke '? 

Answer — No ; I heard about his speech ; I was building a house that 
day. 

4130. Question— Where? 
Answer — At home. 

4131. Question — On what street leading from town do you live? on 
the one by the College ? 

Answer — I live on the Asheford Ferry road. 

4132. Question — Was there, or was there not, a general rumor about 
your part of the country that colored persons who voted the Radical 
ticket would be turned from employment ? 

Answer — No ; I heard in the country that men had said so. 

4133. Question — Was it generally talked about? 
Answer — Oh ! well, yes. 

4134. Question — Among the colored or white people? 

Answer — Among colored. I can't say that it was general talk, for I 
don't generally go among colored people. I heard men say that they 
heard of men saying they Avere turning hands off, but I never knew any 
particular man who said so. 

4135. Question — Do you know anything relative to murders, or other 
outrages, committed in this County prior to and at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — I have heard of them only. I was here the day Lee Nance 
was killed, and had just heard a man was shot, and I saw some men rid- 
ing up the street, and one said that Nance had " got it." 

4136. Question — Was he on horseback ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4137. Question — Did he have a pistol ? 
Answer — Yes, I think so. 

4138. Question — Did you suppose, at that time, that he was the man 
that shot Nance? 

Answer — I had reason to suppose so, from his saying, " he had got it." 
I think, at that time, I was in Mr. Barre's store, or one on that range near 
the hotel. 

4139. Question — Did those men you saw on horseback stop there? 
Answer — Not that I saw ; had they, I would have seen them ; they 

rode along in a gallop. 

4140. Question — About how many persons do you think Avere near you, 
and heard that remark ? 

AnsAver — Several, I think. 

4141. Question — Did you see him stop at the tavern? 
Answer — No, I didn't. 



THIRD COKGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 279 



4142. Question — Did you see him before he got up there ? 
Answer — Yes ; I think I did. 

4143. Question — About where ? 

Answer — I saw them coming up main street. 

4144. Question — Did the citizens make any efforts to arrest him ? 
Answer — The Sheriff' came up on his horse and said : " I want to get 

some men to go after those men." 

4145. Question — Did he address you w'hile speaking? 

Answer — No, not particularly ; he then went over and got the Yankees, 
(soldiers in the garrison.) 

4146. Question — Could he not obtain the assistance of citizens? 
Answer — I don't know. 

4147. Question — Did he request you to go with him ? 

Answer — He did ; but I told him I didn't feel like going, for bullets 
had no eyes. 

4148. Question — Did you hear the response of any other person to the 
Sheriff''s request for men to go with him '( 

Answer — No ; he asked me to lend him my horse, and I told him he 
could have it, but I wanted to know how I was going to be paid. I let 
him take it anyhow, and I have never been paid. 

4149. Question — Did you ask him for pay after he came back from 
the pursuit? 

Answer — Yes. 

4150. Question — When did he return? 
Answer — He got back that night. 

4151. Question — Did he get your horse before he went over for the 
Yankees 1' 

Answer — The Yankees came overhand got my horse. 

4152. Question — Then he got the Yankees before he got your horse ? 
Answer — Yes ; for after he got the Yankees he could not get any 

horses, so he got my horse. 

4153. Question — You say the Sheriff" rode up through town, and stop- 
ped and asked for men to gojwith him ; how long was this after those men 
(the murderers,) had passed by you ? 

Answer — About teu minutes, I think. 

4154. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, if he had 
come along in about ten minutes, and called upon the populace, and they 
had responded to his call, could those men have been arrested? 

Answer — I don't know. 

4155. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed by either 
political party upon the other ? 

Answer — I have heard of several, but could not tell how many. 

4156. Question — Did you say you lived at a place called " The Buz- 
zard's Roost ?" 

Answer — No ; but I roost there when I am home. 

4157. Question — Did you make it a custom to give pleasure parties at 
your house ? 

Answer' — I have had parties there ; surprise parties have visited my 
house ; and I had an opossum supper there one night. 

4158. Question — Who were the persons that attended that supper? 
Answer — Several young men from town. 



280 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



4159. Question — Was Dick Gist one? 
Answer — No. 

4160. Question — Did Murtisliaw ever attend your parties ? 
Answer — He was there the night we had the opossum supper. 

4161. Question — Was that before Nance was killed ? 

Answer — Yes ; it was on the Saturday niglit before that, when I had 
the supper; several were there, and Capt. McFall was among the num- 
ber. When I was going home that day I met Murtishaw, near General 
Williams' house, and I asked him to come out, but he said he could not, 
as he had to go home that evening. I then went on home and ordered 
my cook to cook the opossums, and have them ready by dark. Among 
the party that came to my house about dark was Murtishaw, and he was 
tight. When he came in I said: "Sam, I had no idea you would be 
here." He said : " I was belated in town, and have been in a row with 
Sam Dogau, as he had caught my horse's bridle rein and drew a pistol 
on me." 

4162. Question — Did you make any remark ? 

Answer — I said : " I reckon not." He said : " Yes, it is so." 

4163. Question — Was Fitzgerald also there? 
Answer — No. 

4164. Question — Was there a young man present named Epps? 
Answer — No. 

4165. Question — Were political meetings ever held at your house? 
Answer — No. 

4166. Question — How long did Murtishaw remain at your house ? 
Answer — Until next morning. After supper that night he rode to 

town, and came back that night about 12 o'clock. 

4167. Question — Why did he come into town? 

Answer — He said, to obtain some whisky. I didn't see him until the 
next morning ; he was sick, and he got on his horse and rode towards 
home. 

4168. Question — Did any person accompany him ? 
Answer — No. 

4169. Question — Did he take breakfast with you? 
Answer — I don't think he ate breakfast. 

4170. Question — How far does he live from your house ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

4171. Question — Since the death of Nance, have you seen either him 
or Fitzgerald in your neighborhood ? 

Answer — No. 

4172. Question — Have you, or have you not, spoken to parties about 
seeing them ? 

Answer — I have not. I asked a man only last week, (who lives near 
Murtishaw,) whether he ever heard anything of Fitzgerald or Murti- 
shaw, and he said he had not heard of them since the killing of Nance. 

4173. Q.uestion — Who Avas that man? 
Answer — I don't remember. 

Mr. Smalls — You said Murtishaw came to your house that night of 
the supper, about dark ; who came with him ? 

Witness — Several young men came, but I don't remember. 

4174. Question — Didn't you see Murtishaw, when he rode up ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 281 



Answer — No, not until he got off his horse. 

4175. Question — Who were the parties you invited from town ? 
Answer — I don't remember all. 

4176. Question — Well, name some of those who went from town to 
your house ? 

Answer — John Barre, Abe Jones, Dr. Bruce, and several others. 

4177. Question — When those men reached your house did they make 
observations about others who were coming ? 

Answer — Well, I asked why Capt. McFall didn't come, and Chris, 
Suber, and several others that didn't come. 

4178. Question — Did they tell you the reason why those men you have 
mentioned failed to come ? 

Answer — I don't remember. 

4179. Question — Didn't Murtishaw tell you why some one who had 
been in his company didn't come ? 

Answer — No. 

4180. Question — Did you see Murtishaw when he was about to leave 
your house, the next morning after the supper? 

Answer — Yes. 

4181. Question— Who left with him ? 
Answer — No one. 

4182. Question — Are you positive of that ? 

Answer — Yes ; I can't, of course, tell whether any body walked off 
with him ; it has been such a long time ago I can't remember. 

4188. Question — Didn't Murtishaw acquaint you with the informa- 
tion, that he had left town the night before with two other men? 

Answer — Yes. 

4184. Question — Who did he say they were? 

Answer — Dan Ward, Caldwell, and himself were coming, and some 
party, as they were riding along peaceably, fired on them and shot Ward. 
Caldwell first told me, and next morning Murtishaw told me. 

4184. Question — Did they inform you that they had suspicions who 
the parties were ? 

Answer — They said they didn't know who shot at them. 

4185. Question — Didn't tell you who they thought they were ? 
Answer — Well, Murtishaw told me he thought it was Sam Dogan's 

party, because of the row kicked up that evening with him in town. 

4186. Question — Was it generally rumored that Mr. Dogan had a 
party going about bushwhacking ? 

Answer — I had heard it. 

4187. Question — Did you ever hear that Dick Gist had a party of that 
kind? 

Answer — No. 

4188. Question — Did you or did you not hear of a party of white men 
going about bushwhacking ? 

Answer — Oh, yes ! I have heard of such things. 

4189. Question — When you heard that, didn't you think it was some 
bushwhackers that were lying on the road to waylay Radicals, and had, 
by mistake, fired on Ward and his party ? 

Answer — I don't know why I should think any such thing. 

4190. Question — Did you or did you not tell a man that worked on 

36 



282 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



your place, that if he voted the Radical ticket he would have to leave, 
as you would not have a Radical to work your laud. 
Answer — No. 

4191. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — I believe you stated that it was 
the same night Ward was shot that you gave the opossum supper ? 

Answer — It was. 

4192. Question — Did Murtishaw accompany Dan Ward from town ? 
Answer — Yes ; they were coming together. 

4193. Question — What time in the evening was that ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

4194. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You said that some one told you 
that Sam Dogan had a party of men ; did you receive that information 
prior to or after the night of the opossum supper ? 

Answer — Before and after ; in fact, I met Sam Dogan one time with a 
double barreled shot-gun. 

4195. Question —Have you not also met other men with guns? 
Answer — Yes ; but in this County it was a strange thing to see black 

men with guns. 

4196. Question — Could you mention the names of any of the persons 
who were displeased, because they were not invited to your opossum sup- 
per ? 

Answer — I never heard a man say he was displeased. 

4197. Question — Didn't you hear some persons say that they had heard 
other parties express their displeasure at not being invited ? 

Answer — Well, yes ; Fitz Caldwell asked me why I didn't invite him 
out to the supper. I told him I never once thought about it. He said 
if he had known about it he would have come, as he was very fond of 
opossums. 

4198. Question — Was that the first time you had given parties at your 
house ? 

Answer — Yes ; male parties. 

4199. Question — Don't you know that certain men had expressed their 
displeasure at not being invited to other parties given by you ? 

Answer — No. 

4200. Question — Have you, or have you not, heard persons talking 
about not being informed you were going to have a surprise party at 
your house ? 

Answer — No ; I have not. 

4201. Question — Did it ever occur to you, that Ward and his party 
v/ere fired upon by some men that were dissatisfied because they Avere not 
invited to that supper? 

Answer — No. 

4202. Question (by Mr, Mclntyre) — Were there any females at that 
opossum supper? 

Answer — No. 

4203. Question — How late at night did you keep up that opossum 
supper ? 

Answer — I can't tell you any thing about that, for, by God, I don't re- 
member ; we had six or seven opossums cooked, and of course we took 
our time. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 283 



4204. Question — Did you have music that night ? 
Answer — I had a violin. 

John O. Peoples, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

4205. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — John 0. Peoples. 

4206. Question — Do you reside in this County ? if so, state how long. 
Answer — In this town for twenty-three years. 

4207. Question — Were you Manager of Election, at the last general 
election ? 

Answer — No. 

4208. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — ^Merchant. 

4209. Question — Were you in town the day Associate Justice Hoge 
delivered a speech ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4210. Question — Did you witness anything unusual that day ? 
Answer — I was not out of my store. 

4211. Question — Were you a member of any political organization in 
this town r* 

Answer — No ; my name may be on the roll of the Democratic Society i* 

4212. Question — Did you attend their meetings ? 
Answer — No. 

4213. Question — Prior to the general election did you or did you not 
receive a circular called " The Law," the subject matter of which was, 
not to employ colored men that voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — No ; but that might have been because I had no occasion to 
hire them. 

4214. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you vote at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4215. Question — Was there any disturbance that day? 

Answer — None that I observed. I voted in the morning, wlien the sun 
was half an hour high, and went to my shop, and was not out again 
that day ; but I believe there was some little noise, and some whisky 
drank. 

4216. Question — From the best of your knowledge and belief, Avas it 
the intention of the Democratic party to intimidate the colored people 
and keep them from voting ? 

Answer — I did not see, nor do I know of anything of the kind. 

4217. Question — From the best of your knowledge and belief, did the 
killing of Nance and Johnson Stuart meet the approbation of the white 
citizens of this town ? 

Answer — I don't think it did ; I know a good many were mortified at 
the killing of Nance, but I didn't know the other man about town. 

4218. Question — Were you in town the night Ward was shot? 
Answer — I was home, half mile from town. 

4219. Question — In what direction ? 
Answer — Near the College. 

4220? Question — Did you hear the shooting ? 



284 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. 

4221. Question — Do you know anything about the excitement that 
night ? 

Answer — No. 

4222. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did you belong to the Democratic 
Club? 

Answer — My recollection is that I signed the list. 

4223. Question — Do you know anything of the spirit that pervaded 
the Club ? 

Answer — No. 

4224. Question — Did you attend any Democratic Mass Meetings ? 
Answer — No ; only the torch light procession. 

4225. Question — Did you see or hear of any disturbances that night ? 
Answer — No. 

4226. Question — As you have not attended any Democratic or Repub- 
lican meetings, you know nothing in relation to disturbances ? 

Answer — No. 

4227. Question — You have not been an active Democratic politician ? 
Answer — No ; no politician about me ; I am only a quiet merchant. 

4228. Question — Do you know of any efforts put forth by either party 
to intimidate the other? 

Answer — No. 

4229. Question — If anything occurred a mile from town, you, as a 
quiet merchant, would know nothing of it ? 

Answer — Nothing at all. 

Simeon Young, (colored,") sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright: 

4230. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Simeon Young. 

4231. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

4232. Question — How long have you resided here ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

4233. Question — Are you residing in town ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4234. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4235. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — A carpenter. 

4236. Question — Do you know of any threats that have been used by 
any person or persons, to intimidate other persons, to keep them from 
voting as they saw lit? if so, please state what they were. Do you know 
of one instance? answer that first. 

Answer — I knoAV nothing more than what I have heard. 

4237. Question — Did you hear any person make such threats ? 
Answer — No. 

4238. Question— What did you hear ? 

Answer — I heard they would discharge them from employment. 

4239. Question — Was that a general rumor? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 285 



Answer — Yes ; all over the whole country. I mean, if they voted tlie 
Republican ticket. 

4240. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you here the day Associate 
Justice Hoge delivered a speech at the court house ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4241. Question — Did you attend the meeting? 
Answer — Yes. 

4242. Question — State Avhat you saw that day ? 

Answer — I was in the court house, at the time he was speaking, and 
Mr. Fair cross-questioned him some way, but I don't remember the words 
now. Mr. Willis Welsh also did. 

4243. Question (by Mr. Wright) — AVhat did those men say to Judge 
Hoge, when Welsh answered. 

Answer — Nothing ; he took his seat after that. 

4244. Question — Did anybody else say anything to Judge Hoge ? 
Answer — Not in the court house. 

4245. Question — Well, when they came out of the court house ? 
Answer — They didn't say anything until they got to the depot. 

4246. Question — Were those white men that followed him armed? 
AnsAver — Yes ; they had arms. 

4247. Question — Did you go to the depot ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4248. Question — With other colored men? 
Answer — Yes. 

i249. Question — Why did you go there? 

Answer — To see him off on the train ; and the white men had threatened 
him, as though they wanted to injure him. 

4250. Question — What did they say ? 

Answer — When they got to the cars, they wanted to take him out ? 

4251. Question — For what ? 

Answer — They said they didn't allow carpet-baggers to speak here ; 
they also called him " a damned hog," and called to the ladies in the car 
to keep their eyes open, as there was a hog in the car, and to be care- 
ful of their lunch baskets. 

4252. Question — Then, from what you saw of those white men, to the 
best of your knowledge and belief, if the colored men had not protected 
him, they would have killed him ? 

Answer — I do earnestly believe they would have killed him. 

4253. Question — Were you here when Mr. Nance was killed ? 
Answer — I was in his house at the time. 

4254. Question — Did you see the parties that shot him ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4255. Question — Did you know them ? 
Answer — Yes, both. 

4256. Question — After they shot him, what did they do ? 

Answer — Well, one of them got off his horse, came in, and shot Mr. 
Nance, and they got on their horses and galloped up the street, and I 
didn't see them again. 

4257. Question — Did you come out to see which way they went ? 
Answer — No ; I was in the back part of the house. 

4258. Question — Were you there when the inquest was held ? 



286 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes. 

4259. Question — Who was the Coroner ? 
Answer — General Kinard. 

4260. Question — When the inquest was first held, do you know what 
conclusion the jury came to, or whether they came to the conclusion who 
had committed the deed ? 

Answei* — Yes ; that it was the same party that I told them. 

4261. Question — You were one of the witnesses then ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4262. Question — Were there some more men summoned soon after? 
Answer — I don't remember whether there Avere or not. 

4263. Question — Didn't some white men come, after the colored per- 
sous had been sworn, and had given testimony? 

Answer — Yes ; I remember now that Mr. Christian was one. 

4264. Question — Are you acquainted with Mr. S. Montgomery ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4265. Question — Was he there on the jury of inquest? 
Answer — I don't remember. 

James Washington Caldwell, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

4266. Question — What is your name, in full ? 
Answer — James Washington Caldwell. 

4267. Question — How long have you been a resident of Newberry 
County ? 

Answer — Twenty-one years and a few months. 

4268. Question — How far do you live from town ? 
Answer — Five miles. 

4269. Question — Were you in town the morning Nance was killed ? 
Answer — I don't know when he was killed. 

4270. Question— You don't ? 
Answer — No. 

4271. Question — Have you been arrested by any parties within the 
past year ? 

Answer — Yes ; by Mr. Harris. 

4272. Question — When ? 
Answer— The 19th of October, 1868. 

4273. Question — Where were you when arrested ? 
Answer — In the big road. 

4274. Question — How far from town ? 
Answer — Ten miles. 

4275. Question — What were you doing when arrested ? 
Answer — Riding on the road. 

4276. Question — Coming to town, or going from town ? 
Answer — Coming to town. 

4277. Question — In company with any one ? 
Answer — Nobody at all. 

4278. Question — Who was with Harris when he arrested you ? 

Answer — Sheriff Paysinger and five United States soldiers. Mr. Pay- 
singer, the Lieutenant and two of the soldiers passed by me ; the other 
two soldiers and Harris were behind. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 287 



4279. Question — What did they say they arrested you for ? 
Answer — They didn't say. 

4280. Question — How did they accost you when they met up with 
you ? 

Answer — Harris said I had attempted to draw arms on him ; but I 
told him I did not do so. 

4281. Question — Did Harris or any of the party draw weapons of any 
kind on you ? 

Answer — Harris levelled his gun, a sixteen shooter, on me, and two of 
the U. S. soldiers drcAV pistols, and one fired, but missed me. 

4282. Q,uestion — How many shots did they fire ? 
Answer — One. 

4283. Question — How far were they from you ? 
Answer — Tea paces. 

4284. Question — Had they spoken before they fired ? 
Answer — They said something, but I didn't understand them. 

4285. Question — What else did they do besides shooting at you ? 
Answer — After that they commanded me to give up my arms ; I gave 

up a rusty old pistol. I was riding a fine horse, and I gave that up, and 
they gave me an old one, that a soldier was riding. 

4286. Question— Then what did they do ? 

Answer — Kept me ■with them all that day, riding that old horse all 
over the country. 

4287. Question — Had you met Harris that morning ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4288. Question— Where ? 
Answer — Four miles from town. 

4289. Question — Who was with you when you met him ? 
Answer — Richard V. Gist. 

4290. Question — Who was Mr. Harris with that morning, when you 
met him ? 

Answer — John Ci'ooks. 

4291. Question — Did you speak to Harris that morning? 
Answer — I did. 

4292. Question — What was the conversation between you ? 

Answer — Nothing; just said "good morning " and passed on. That 
was the time he said I drew arms on him ; that was the evidence he gave 
in Columbia against me. 

4293. Question — Were you coming from town, or going to town, then ? 
Answer — I was going to Owens Turnipseed's when I met him in the 

morning. 

4294. Question — Where did you get in company with Mr. Gist that 
morning ? 

Answer — He had overtaken me, two miles out of town. 

4295. Question — Had you been in town the night before ? 

Answer — No ; I came that morning to the public stables and got my 
horse, for the purpose of going down to Turnipseed's. 

4296. Question — How far did Mr. Gist accompany you that morning ? 
Answer — Six miles, to his home, and I went on past ? 

4297. Question — What time of day was it when you left Gist at his 
own home? 



288 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Near teu o'clock, between nine and ten o'clock, as near as I 
can remember, as I didn't have any time piece with me. 

4298. Question — What time was it when you left town that morning ? 
Answer — Betwixt seven and eight o'clock, as near as I can guess. 

4299. Question Did you hear any rumor that morning, before you 

left town, about a man being killed ? 

Answer — No ; I was not in town farther than the livery stable. 

4300. Question — As you came in town that morning, did you meet a 
man named Fitzgerald ? 

Answer — I don't know him, and I didn't come that road ? 

4301. Question — Which way do you live from here? 
Answer — Towards Laurens ; I did at that time. 

4302. Question — When you met Pink Harris, was he going towards 
Laurens ? 

Answer — No. 

4803. Question — After he passed through town, 1 mean ? 

Answer — I met him as I was coming into town. 

4304. Question — After you passed Gist's house where did you go ? 
Answer — To Owens Turnipseed's. 

4305. Question — How long did you remain there ? 

Answer — About half an hour ; I Avanted to get back to Newberry 
against twelve o'clock, to go to my work. 

4306. Question — After you left Gist that morning at his house, and 
j)arted with him, at his gate, did you see him any more ? 

Answer — No, not until they arrested him that evening. 

4307. Question — Where was he arrested ? 
Answer — At his own house. 

4308. Question — Where did Harris and his party say they were going ? 
Answer — Going after Fitzgerald and Murtishaw. I asked them what 

for, and tliey Avould not tell me. I asked them what they arrested me 
for, and Harris said, for attempting to draw arms on him that morning 
when I met him. 

4309. Question — Did they show you any warrant ? 
Answer — No. 

4310. Question — Did you see anything of Fitzgerald and Murtishaw? 
Answer — No ; I would not know Fitzgerald if I were to see him. 
43n. Question — What did they do with you ? 

Answer — They put me in jail on Monday night, October 19th. 

4312. Question — How long did you stay there? 

Answer — The next morning they took me to Columbia, and put both 
Gist and me in jail there, and kept us in jail until the 24th. 

4313. Question — What was the amount of bond you gave ? 
Answer — Three hundred dollars. 

4314. Question — Did they ever take a warrant for you, or give you a 
trial, or ever prosecute you at all ? 

Answer — Not yet ; Harris put it before the grand jury, at the March 
court, and they found "no bill." I was at home sick at that time. 

4315. Question — Do you know the nature of the indictment against 
you? 

Answer — No. 

4316. Question — You never heard what you were accused of? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 289 



Answer — No ; only Harris said that I had attempted to draw arms 
against him. 

4317. Question — Did you ever prosecute Harris for false arrest ? 
Answer — I did. 

4318. Question — What was done with him ? 

Answer — Put in jail ; kept here two or three days, then taken to Co- 
lumbia, and got off. I don't know what they did with him there. 
4819. Question — Has he ever been tried ? 
Answer — Not yet. 

4320. Question — Is the case still against him ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4321. Question — What was the nature of the action against him? did 
you sue him for damages, or by State's warrant, for false arrest? 

Answer — By State's warrant, for false arrest. 

4322. Question — You say they Avould not tell you that morning what 
they were seeking Fitzgerald and Murtishaw for; when did you first find 
it out ? 

Answer — That night, when I was put in jail, Fitz Caldwell came to 
the jail to us, and told me. That was the first I knew anything was out 
at all, and I don't know it yet, only what I heard. 

4323. Question — Do you know any body else that has been arrested 
in the same manner you were ? 

Answer — IS o. 

4324. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You said you lived here twenty- 
one years and a few months ? 

Answer — Yes. 

43i5. Question — How many months ? 

Answer — Not quite eleven. I will be 22 years old the 18th of next 
month. 

4326. Question (by Mr. Wright") — What morning was it you came in 
town, and got that horse from the livery stable? 

Answer — 19th of October. 

4327. Question — How far did you have to come to town ? 
Answer — Five miles. 

4328. Question — What time in the morning was it, when you started 
from home ? 

Answer — Before sun-up. 

4329. Q,uestion — About what time did you get to town ? 
Answer — About 7 o'clock. 

4330. Question — How long did you remain in town ? 

Answer — About a quarter of an hour, and it may have been a little 
over ? 

4331. Question — What time in the morning does the sun rise at that 
time of the year ? 

Answer — I could not tell exactly. I walked five miles to town. 

4332. Question — And got here about 7 o'clock? 
Answer — I just guessed at the time. 

4338. Question — Whose horse did you get ? 
Answer — Charles Jones', at the livery stable ? 
4334. Question —What time of day did you reach Turuipseed's ? 
Answer — A little before 10 o'clock, by his watch. 
37 



290 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



4335. Question — How many miles is it from town to Turnipseed's ? 
Answer — A little over eleven miles. 

4336. Question — Did you stop between town and there? 
Answer — I did not. 

4337. Question — What did you go there for ? 
Answer — On my own business. 

4338. Question — What was your business ? 
Witness — You have no right to ask my business. 
Mr. Bryant — Yes ; you must answer the question ? 

Witness — Well, if you want to know, I am a carpenter, and went 
there to get a job of work. 

4339. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You went there to get a job of 
work ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4340. Question — How long did you remain at Turnipseed's that 
morning? 

Answer — I told you once. 

4341. Question (by Mr. Wright) — I want that told again ? 
Answer — Look over the paper, you Avill see. 

Mr. Wright, (addressing the Chairman) — I have asked a question 
which I consider proper, and the witness refuses to answer ; I shall repeat 
the question, and I want the Chair to decide whether it is a proper ques- 
tion or not ? 

4342. Question (repeated) — How long did you remain at Turnipseed's 
that morning? 

Mr. Crews, Chairman — You must answer, (addressing witness.) 
Answer — Well ; I stayed there one-quarter of an hour or half an hour, 
but nothing over half an hour, 

4343. Question — You stated, when you were asked a question by Mr, 
Bryant, whether you knew Fitzgerald or not, " I didn't come that 
way." Now, what do you mean by that statement? 

Answer — He asked me if I met Fitzgerald ; if he didn't I misunder- 
stood him. 

4344. Question — Well, you said you didn't come that way; now, 
what do you mean by that ? 

Answer — They told me that they (Fitzgerald and Murtishaw,) went 
out one way, and I came in another ; I have been told that they went the 
Columbia road out of Newberry, and I came in the Laurens road, and that 
,is why we didn't meet. 

4345. Question — How many persons came to the jail that night, and 
informed you what those United States soldiers and Harris were looking 
for at the time you were arrested ? 

Answer — Fitz Caldwell informed me they were looking for Fitzgerald 
and Murtishaw. 

4346. Question — Are you a member of the Democratic Club ? 
Answer — My name is not on the list ; I don't know there is such a 

thing. 

4347. Question — You said that when arrested by Harris and those 
soldiers you had a pistol ; what kind of a pistol was it ? 

Answer — A five shooter. 
4^:548. Question — A revolver ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 291 



Answer — Yes. 

4349. Question — You said it was old and rusty ; was it so rusty it would 
not shoot '( 

Answer — I don't know ; I didn't try. 

4350. Question — Have you tried it since that time ? 
Answer — No ; the U. S. soldiers took it. 

4351. Question — Had you tried it before ? 
Answer — At trees. 

4352. Question — Do you generally carry a pistol ? 
Answer — I do, to defend myself 

4353. Question — You say you are carrying a pistol to defend yourself ; 
are you afraid of being attacked ? 

Answer — I tote it for self-defence. 

4354. Question — Then, you are afraid of being attacked ? 
Answer — I fear no man. 

4355. Question — When was it you first knew that Nance was shot? 
Answer — I don't know he was shot. 

4356. Question — When did you first hear it ? 
Answer — The 19th of October, in the night. 

4357. Question — What time in the night ? 
Answer — About 9 o'clock. 

4358. Question — Where were you then ? 

Answer — In jail. That was the first I heard of his being shot. 
4-'i59. Question — Have you been before the grand jury in the case of 

the State against Harris ? 
Answer — I have not. 

4360. Question — Whei'e did you make an affidavit against him ? 
Answer — At Newbei'ry Court House. 

4361. Question — Before whom ? 
Answer — Petei'son. 

4362. Question — Is Mr. Peterson a Magistrate ? 
Answer — He was then. 

4363. Question — Is he at this time ? 
Answer — No. 

4364. Question — When was he relieved ? 
Answer — I can't tell the day ; Kinard has taken his place. 

4365. Question — Did you know the alleged cause of his being re- 
lieved ? 

Answer — No. 

4366. Question — Do you know anything in relation to outrages com- 
mitted by the Republican partv, against the Democratic party, in this 
County ? 

Answer — I do not. 

4367. Question — Do you know of any paper called " The Law " that 
has been circulated, in relation to not employing persons that vote a cer- 
tain ticket ? 

Answer — Have not seen any. f 

4368. Question — In the neighborhood or vicinity in which you live, \ 
to your knowledge, is there an amicable feeling existing between the | 
white and colored people ? | 

Answer — I don't know of any disturbances. f 



292 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

4369. Question — Has it been so for the last year? 
Answer — It has been peaceable where I live. 

4370. Question — The colored people working well ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4371. Question — The white people treating them kindly ? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

4372. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — The morning you came in town, for 
your horse, did you come down in the town ? 

Answer — No ; I came to the stable, and went out again. 

4373. Question — Did you, or did you not, come in as far as the Court 
House ? 

Answer — No ; didn't come that low down. 

4374. Question — Did you state that the horse you came for Avas Gist's 
horse ? 

Answer — No ; it was Charley Jones' horse. 

4375. Question — AVhat did you come to get a horse for ? 
Answer — To ride to Owens Turnipsced's. 

4376. Question — How far is Owens Turnipsced's from where you lived ? 
Answer — Seventeen miles. 

4377. Question — How far from town ? 
Answer — Eleven miles. 

4378. Question — Did you walk five miles from your house to town, in 
order to get a horse to go to Turnipsced's ? 

Answer — I did ; because it Avas right on my Avay to Turnipsced's. 

4379. Question (by Mr Wright}— You said that JSIr. John Crooks 
Avas Avith Harris at the time that Harris states that you attempted to 
draAV arms on him ; you have also stated that you have commenced a suit 
against him, for false arrest ; have you not seen I\Ir. Crooks, and talked 
Avith him in relation to Avhat you could prove by him in that case. ? 

Answer — Mr. Crooks came here a few days after that, and there Avere 
men Avho spoke Avith him and asked him about it. 

4380. Question — That Avas before you had talked Avith him ? 
Answer — Yes ; I never had a chat Avith him for three months after. 

4381. Question — Was he present at the time you made the affidavit 
before the Magistrate ? 

AnsAver — No. 

4382. Question — Then, Harris Avas arrested on your affidavit ? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

4383. Question — You have talked Avith Mr. Crooks, since that time, in 
relation to Avhat you could prove in that case ? 

Answer — I have talked Avith him, but not about that. 

4384. Question — Then do you mean to say you do not knoAV Avhat he 
can testify to in your behalf in that case? 

Answer — Yes. 

On motion, at 6:20 P. M., the Committee adjourned until to-morrow at 
9 A. M. 



THIRD COKGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 293 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, June 4, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M., and i)to- 
ceeded to business. 
Simeon Fair, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

4385. Question — Were you the Solicitor for this Circuit, about the 
time of the last general election ? 

Answer — Yes, including this District, and had been for some twenty- 
two years. 

4386. Question — Will you please relate what you know, concerning 
outrages that were perpetrated, and disturbances of the public peace, 
which occurred in this County, during the time which elapsed between 
the adoption of the present Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 
and the last general election ? 

Answer— There were disturbances. I have very little knowledge, how- 
ever, of any disturbances that took place, until immediately preceduig 
the election, as I was absent from July 1st until about September 20th, 
when I returned home. The first occurrence I know of, that came within 
my knowledge, was the killing of a colored man by the name of Glascow 
Johnson, (I think that was his name). He was a carpenter, and I knew 
him well. He was killed on the street, over near my house, yet I didn't 
know it until the occurrence had taken place, (j^robably two or three 
hours,) although it was only two or three hundred yards from my house, 
I didn't hear the shots. A great many persons were going on that road, 
and I had company at my house at the time. I Avas told of it after it oc- 
curred, and immediately sent over to General Kinard, the Coroner, to 
organize an inquest for the purpose of ascertaining the manner of killing, 
as well as the guilty party. He did organize the inquest, but I think he 
was several days, and had to adjourn over from day to day, to get testimony, 
and I don't think he got any very satisfactory testimony as to the guiky 
party. I made considerable exertions, to see if I could find out who was 
the guilty party, but, as was usual on such occasions, the persons were 
not as ready to communicate to me, I being the Solicitor, and thinking 
probably they would have to be bound over. I did not get to know, 
(and the Coroner's inquest did not inform me who the guilty party was,) 
for some time, and not until the November term of our Court, when I 
prepared to give out a bill, but Judge Boozer didn't hold Court, or I 
would have given out a bill against Fitzgerald and Murtishaw. 
I had ascertained sufficiently they were the guilty parties to Avarrant 
me in giving out a bill. I had become satisfied from private 
sources. It was very much my practice in such cases, when the Coroner's 
inquest didn't disclose the guilty party, I generally tried to get it in a 
private manner, and give the bill to the grand jury and Court, to 
send for witnesses. In this way I frequently succeeded in having the 
guilty party arrested, Avhen I could not do it in any other way. I have 



294 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



no doubt, if the Court had been, held in November, I would have done it in 
this instance. I don't think it would be necessaryto detail the informa- 
tion which I had received of the manner of killing, as it can be obtained 
from the Coroner's inquest. The next disturbance I know of was the one 
that occurred on the Saturday night previous to the murder of Lee 
Nance, (which I don't know I could say exactly the date of now, whether 
one or two weeks preceding the election, but think it was about one 
week before ;) I knew nothing of it until the morning afterwards ; I came 
over to town and ascertained from common report what had occurred the 
night before, and as there was a great deal of excitement in town, I 
sought to get as correct information as I could, and take such proceedings 
as proper to ascertain the guilty party. In the course of the evening the 
Sheriff brought to me a small colored boy, (I suppose about eleven or 
twelve years old,) who said that Sam Dogau had acknowledged, or rather 
had expressed himself, that he was one of the party, by using this 
language: After asking the boy whether he knew Ward had been shot 
and was dead, the last said he told him, no, and the boy reported that 
Sam replied, " As sure as Christ we killed him last niglit," or words to 
that effect, (that was the impression on my mind.) Upon that I instructed 
the Magistrate to take his affidavit, and have him arrested on a charge of 
riot and assault with intent to murder. The affidavit was made before 
the Magistrate, a warrant issued, and Dogan arrested and put in jail. In 
some little time after that (the same day,) they came Avith the affidavit 
of Mr. Miller, (it may have been the Sheriff' or the JMagistrate before 
whom the affidavit was taken,) stating that a party of some eight or ten 
persons had been seen to come out of Nance's house or store, on the 
street, at about a suitable time preceding the firing for them to have 
got to the point where the tiring took place, and some of them 
had guns. I instructed the Magistrate not to issue a warrant 
on that, as I thought it might have raised a suspicion that Nance 
knew of the intentions of those parties to commit riot, but as 
he was not connected, personally I advised the Magistrate not to issue the 
warrant on the affidavit, as being insufficient. That is all I know took 
place that day, (that was on Sunday) ; but a great deal of excitement 
prevailed in the village amongst all classes. I didn't see that I could do 
anything more than I had done to prevent any further disturbance of 
the peace, and I then went home. The next morning, (Monday,) as I was 
returning, my little boy met me, (he had been over to the village, and 
Avas going home,) and informed me that Lee Nance had been shot. I 
hurried on over as fast as I could, and, as I reached the corner of Car- 
wile & McCaughran's store, I met the Sheriff' going over to my house to 
see me, and from him I gathered the particulars (as far as I could) of the 
afl^air. I instructed him to apply for assistance from the garrison sta- 
tioned here, and go in pursuit immediately, and with all possible haste. 
He said by whom it had been done, (Fitzgerald and Murtishaw,) and 
that they had gone. I instructed him to go to the public stables and hire 
horses, (the garrison here, at that time, had no cavalry, I think.) The 
Sheriff' did, with very commendable zeal, make every exertion, and went, 
I thought, with considerable speed in pursuit ; he failed, however, to 
capture the murderers. (You have that from him, and I could only re- 
peat it.) That necessarily produced great excitement in the place, very 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 295 



great iudeed. I don't know of any other outrages that were of such a 
character as required me as an officer to investigate, that took place be- 
tween that time and the election. On the day of the general election it 
was as quiet as any election I ever saw. 

4387. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Were you a member of the Demo- 
cratic District Central Club at this place (Newberry) ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4388. Question — Were there any resolutions passed by that Club re- 
ferring to labor ? 

Answer — The question was before the Club on one occasion, brought up, 
I think, by one of the neighboring Clubs, (I think, the Silver Street Club, 
that Club is some eight or ten miles from here.) That Club recommended 
that the Central Club should recommend to all the constituent Clubs not 
to employ any persons except those who either did not vote or voted the 
Democratic ticket. The Central Club took no other action except to 
refer it to the constituent Clubs ; and the Central Club neither approved 
or disapproved — only referred it to other Clubs. The Clubs never did 
concur with the recommendations of the Silver Street Club, to my recol- 
lection ; at all events, the Central Club never approved of it. I think it 
was either disapproved of by the constituent Clubs, or they failed to take 
any action thereon. 

4389. Question — Was it the policy of the Democratic organizations, in 
this County, to carry the election, last fall, by intimidating the colored 
people ? 

Answer — Not so far as I know" ; but I don't know a great deal about 
this thing, as I was absent much of the time on my Circuit, and I didn't 
mingle much in election matters. So far as I know, I don't know of any 
determination or disposition of that kind. There was a great anxiety to 
procure the colored people, (by the white people,) to vote the Democratic 
ticket. 

4390. Question — Were those efforts entirely persuasive ? 

Answer — The only means I know of being used, were those ordinarily 
used in elections, but I will not say they were altogether persuasive, yet 
I don't mean there Avas coercion, but in many instances there were in- 
ducements held out. 

4391. Question — From the best of your knowledge and belief, did the 
killing of Nance and Johnson meet the approbation of the Democratic 
party i* 

Answer — I was an officer of the law^, and, so far as I know, it did not. 
It might not, however, have come to my knowledge, as it would have to 
the knowledge of other persons. For a man to have spoken of it (as ap- 
proving the act) to me, I would have thought hew-as a fit subject for the 
Lunatic Asylum. To look at it as a party measure, was the worst course 
to view it. To array race against race is not the way to carry elections ; 
not the way to carry it by the race that is in the minority ; persuasion is 
better than force in that case. 

4392. Question — Did you vote at the court house, on the day of elec- 
tion? 

Answer — I did. 

4393. Question — Was there any disturbance that day ? 

Answer — Quiet as a Sunday in Boston — they didn't even have liquor. 



296 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



The only drunken man I saw was the Commandant of the Post, and he 
acted badly. He told a colored man if he didn't go up and vote the 
Democratic ticket he would knock him over. I think the colored man 
was fully disposed not to vote at all. 

4394. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were you acting as Solicitor at the 
time a barber was shot over here ? 

Answer— Yes ; his name was Wesley, I think ; I knew him very well. 

4o95. Question — Did you know the verdict of the jury in that case '( 

Answer — I don't recollect now, but I think they made a great botch 
of it. 

4396. Question — Was it known who committed the deed ? 
Answer — I never could find out, although I made great efforts. 

4397. Question — Was it not done here at the Court House ? 
Answer — As I understood, the firing commenced just at his house, and 

continued until he fell right against the Court House wall. 

4398. Question — Was there a crowd here that day ? 
Answer — I was not over here that night, when it took place. 

4399. Question — What time of night did it take place ? 

Answer — About two hours in the night. The moon was shining, be- 
cause persons told me they saw the man shot. 

4400. Question — The man Avho was killed ? 
Answer — No, the murderer. 

4401. Q,uestion — Persons told you so? 
Answer — Yes. 

4402. Question — Did thev, or did they not, know the man that fired 
the shot ? 

Answer — There were two of them. 

4403. Question — Was there, or was there not, an effort made that even- 
ing, on the part of the citizens, to arrest the parties that did it. 

Answer — I don't know that I could say exactly, as I Avas not over 
until the next morning ; but next morning the most vigorous efforts were 
made to find out who the guilty party Avere, and have tliem arrested. I 
reported the case to ex-GJovernor Orr, (he AA'as then Governor,) and he 
offered a rcAvard, and also authorized me to employ private agents, to find 
out how it was done ; and I did employ detectives, but I failed in getting 
the information. I had my suspicions. 

4404. Question — You have stated that you ascertained, or had reason 
to belicA'^e you had found sufficient e\udence in the murder of Johnson 
to give out a bill against MurtishaAV and Fitzgerald, as having committed 
the deed ? 

AnsAver — Yes. 

4405. Question — Could you give us the names of the Avitnesses ? 
Answer — I did give the names, and had them bound OA^er, but I don't 

noAv recollect them. I think, two or three Avere colored persons, but I 
don't recollect their names. I gave the names, and, I think, the bill Avas 
prepared, but I don't think it Avas given out at the last Court, as I Avas 
not acting Solicitor then. 

4406. Question — About hoAV long a time AA'as it before Nance was 
killed that Johnson Avas killed ? 

AnsAver — Johnson was killed about the 19th or 20th of September, and 
the other took place : well — about a month betAA'een, probably. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 291 



4407. Question — How long a time was it after Johnson Avas killed, be- 
fore you found out the witnesses ? 

Answer — It was not until nearly time for our Court. 

4408. Question — AVere you acquainted with either Murtishaw or Fitz- 
gerald ? 

Answer — Well, with Fitzgei-ald, but not well with Murtishaw. I don't 
think I would have known him, had I met him in the street. 

4409. Question — "Where were they when the bill was prepared for the 
November Court ? 

Answer — They fled the time Nance was killed, I think they re- 
mained (from information) in this and adjoining districts, for, may be, a 
month or so. I think, from information, that they had not left the 
State? 

4410. Question — Why didn't you have them arrested ? 

Answer — I did make every effort. They did try to arrest them under 
the warrant for the killing of Nance. 

4411. Question — Why didn't you arrest them before? 

Answer — I didn't have the information, as the Coroner's inquest failed 
to give me information as to the guilty parties entirely. 

4412. Question — You state, then, that you didn't get the information 
until after Nance was killed? 

Answer — No ; I didn't get it, I think, until about the time we were pre- 
paring for Court, Avhich was the 1st Monday in November, probably 
about the time of the election. I heard it from colored men ; they gave 
the clue to make the inquiry, and, upon that, I thought I could find the 
witnesses. 

4413. Question — How long was this after Nance was killed? 
Answer — I think, about two or three weeks, but I am not certain. 

4414. Question — Was one of those Avitnesses, from whom you received 
the information in relation to Johnson's murder, a woman? 

Answer — I got the testimony of Johnson's wife from the Coroner's 
jury. I never saw her; she didn't know the person. 

4415. Question — Did you, or did you not, get your information from 
the same witnesses that were before the Coroner's jury ? 

Answer — No ; a person sent me word that such and such persons 
would know who it was — that is, could be witnesses. 

4416. Question — Did this information come from white or colored per- 
sons? 

Answer — Colored ; I had given some to know that if they could get 
information, to give it to me. I think the person they referred me to 
was a person named Herndon, who could be a witness, as he was present 
at the time ; and upon that I intended to have a bill, and have them 
brought before the grand jury. They described the horse he rode, (the 
one that shot,) as being a cream-colored horse. I was under the im- 
pression they would give information before the grand jury that they 
would not give otherwise. 

4417. Question — About how many persons, colored or white, to your 
knowledge, have been murdered, for the last year and a half or two 
years ? 

Answer — A great many. 

4418. Question — About how many persons, colored and white ? 

38 



298 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I suppose more colored than white. 

4419. Question — About how many white persons have been mur- 
dered ? 

Answer — Those that I prosecuted were the cases of Lane and Cureton. 
Cureton was shot while in bed, by some seventeen or eighteen persons ; 
they killed him, and maimed his son for life. 

4420. Question — How many white persons have been killed within 
this incorporation during the last year ? 

Answ^er — None. 

4421. Question — How many colored ? 

Answer — Two — Johnson and Nance ; Wesley was killed two years ago. 

4422. Question — You stated that quite a crowd Avas passing on the 
road the day Johnson was killed, were they white or colored ? 

Answer — Both. 

4423. Question — Did you observe a company going on horseback, be- 
fore the firing ? 

Answer — I didn't hear the firing ; a great many had been going along 
the road, and many wagons. 

4424. Question — How long was it after Johnson was killed before you 
knew the fact ? 

Answer — Between an hour and two hours. 

4425. Question — Were the parties pursued by the Sherifi"? 

Answer — I sent him for the Coroner, to organize an inquest, and have 
the body brought over, in order to get evidence ; I don't think the Sheriff 
pursued. 

4426. Question — Did it not appear in the evidence (to your knowledge) 
before the Coroner's inquest that the mother of the unfortunate Johnson 
was there at the time he was shot ? 

Answer — I think she was. 

4427. Question — Didn't she state in that examination that he was 
killed by one of several persons on horseback ? 

Answer — I think she did ; and the color of the horse also. 

4428. Question — Then, as far as you know, the Sheriff did not pursue 
them ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4429. Q.uestion — The color of the horse was described before the Coro- 
ner's jury ; after that fact came to your knowledge you gathered sufficient 
testimony to vrarrant you in proceeding against them ? 

Answer — I thought I could make out a case by bringing them before 
the grand jury. I was satisfied, from reading the testimony at the Coro- 
ner's inquest, that some of the witnesses didn't tell all they should. 

4430. Question — Were you present at the examination before the 
Coroner's juiy? 

Answer — Not at all. 

4431. Question — You stated that you were a member of the Demo- 
cratic District Central Club. 

Answer — Yes. 

4432. Question — Were you an active member ? 
Answer — Very far from it ; I was there twice, I think. 

4433. Question — Were you cognizant of their doings generally ? 
Answer — Only when I was there. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 299 



4434. Question — From the fact that you were not an active member, 
you don't know whether they did anything to intimidate ? 

Answer — Nothing, to my knowledge ; they might have done many 
things I didn't know of. 

4435. Question — You attended the meeting of the Club when that 
labor resolution came up ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4436. Question — Was it your desire, at that time, that it should be 
acted upon ? 

Answer — I thought it ought not to be adopted. 

4437. Question — Were you or were you not desirous that the resolution 
should be acted upon — either adopted or rejected by the Central Club ? 

Answer — No ; my recollection is that I thought it was a matter that 
should be referred to the constituent Clubs, and they act on it. 

4438. Question — Do you or do you not know whether any of those 
Clubs adopted the resolution '( 

Answer — My recollection is, that there were no Clubs that concurred 
with the Silver Street Club entirely, I can speak from memory to say 
what action the Pomaria Club took. 

4439. Question — Did there ever come to your observation a paper, the 
caption of which was " The Law," relating to the employment or non- 
employment of persons voting the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — I never saw such a thing in my life, and never heard there 
was such a thing. 

4440. Question — Were you here the day Associate Justice Hoge spoke 
in the court house ? 

Answer — I was in my office sick. 

4441. Question — Did you witness any disturbance that day ? 
Answer — No ; I was in my office sick ; I heard there was a disturbance, 

but I didn't see it. 

4442. Question — What has been the disposition of the colored people 
towards the whites ? 

Answer — Generally good. 

4443. Question — Quiet and peaceable ? 
Answer — Well behaved. 

Witness (during a pause) — I reported the fact to Governor Scott, of 
the killing of Nance, the same day, and that the Sheriff had men in 
pursuit. 

4444. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Do you know whether the Sheriff 
made an effort to call out the citizens for the apprehension of those per- 
sons (Fitzgerald and Murtishaw,) before he applied to the military? 

Answer — I don't think he did ; he did not, that I know of. 

4445. Question — Did he hire horses from the stables ? 

Answer — I don't know ; he went right off, and it was not long before 
he was in pursuit. 

4446. Question — You don't know that he made an effort to call out 
the citizens before going for the garrison ? 

Answer — I don't think so, for, when he met me, I told him to call on 
the military ; he said : " They have no horses," but off he went ? 

4447. Question — He didn't state to you that those parties had stopped 
in town, and that he had attempted to call out the posse comltatus ? 



300 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I don't think he said so to me. 

William Summer, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

4448. Question — What is your full name ? 
Answer — William Summer. 

4449. Question — How long have you been a resident of Newberry 
County ? 

Answer — All my life. 

4450. Question — Were you a Manager of Election, at the last general 
election ? 

AnsAver — Yes. 

4451. Question — At what box? 
Answer — At Suber's. 

4452. Question — AVere there any disturbances at Suber's on the day 
of election? 

Answer — None that I could see ; only I heard some little wrangling 
outside, from some man who was trying to get the colored people to take 
Democratic tickets. I mean, tried to persuade them; he made several 
little speeches to them, and harangued them so much that I heard it in 
the room. 

4453. Question— Did I understand you to say that created a disturb- 
ance ? 

Answer — No, not particularly a disturbance ; I heard him addressing 
them, and trying to induce them to vote this ticket. 

4454. Question (by Mr. Wright)— What ticket ? 
Answer — The Democratic ticket. 

4455. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — How many votes were polled at 
Suber's that day ? 

Answer — I think 175. 

4456. Question — Were all those who voted there registered on your 
books ? 

Answer — Yes ; all were registered. 

4457. Question — Are you certain that no person voted at Suber's who 
was not a resident of Newberry County ? 

Answer — I think there were some voted there who had been living in 
Richland District. 

4458. Question — But still registered at Suber's ? 
Answer — You speak of the Congressional election ? 

4459. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — I mean the last general election ? 

Answer — There were some who voted that had registered in other Dis- 
tricts — some who had been living at Gadsden, in Richland, and some at 
Ridgeway, in Fairfield. They made affidavits that they had registered at 
those places. 

4460. Question — Were they white or colored men, that came and 
voted from other Counties ? 

Answer — Colored. ' 

4461. Question — What ticket did they vote ? 

Answer — At the general election I don't remember that there were any 
that voted but what were residents of this County. 



THIED CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 301 



4462. Question — How many colored men voted at Suber's at the last 
general election ? 

Answer — Only fourteen. 

4463. Question — What was the total vote polled there ? 
Answer — I think 175. 

4464. Question — Were any persons driven off and not allowed to vote 
on the day of the last general election ? 

Answer — No ; but there were several there that didn't vote. 

4465. Question — Do you know why they didn't vote ? 

Answer — I could not ascertain their reasons for not voting. I invited 
them to come up and vote, and told them I had something to say to them, 
as I was School Commissioner. (The man I alluded to was trying to 
persuade them to vote the Democratic ticket there.) I told them to 
come and vote, and that they should vote the ticket they wished, and 
that I had Republican tickets on the table, (I had sent and got them). 
There were a good many present ; I think one hundred, 

4466. Question — How many do you say did vote ? 
Answer — Fourteen. 

4467. Question — What ticket ? 
Answer — The Democratic ticket. 

4468. Question — All that fourteen voted it ? 

Answer — Yes ; one man said they didn't care about voting. 

4469. Question — A colored man ? 

Answer — Yes ; I knew they had their tickets, and I encouraged them 
to come to vote, and promised that they should not be interrupted, and 
as the polls were clear, we were anxious to take their votes. 

4470. Question — Did those colored men remain at the voting place all 
day? 

Answer — No ; they left there. 

4471. Question — At what time did they leave ? 

Answer — They were Avaitiug until the train came down ; some person 
that they were expecting came on the train, and then they dispersed, and 
went off quietly. 

4472. Question — Do you know Avhether they Avent to other polls and 
voted, or to their homes ? 

Answer — I think they went to their homes. I don't think they Avent off 
to another place to vote. I heard one or two of them say they believed 
they would not vote. 

4473. Question — Did you hear any of them say they were afraid to 
vote? 

Answer — No. 

4474. Question — Were there any armed persons there that day ? 
Answer — No armed persons ; it was said some had come with guns, 

but I saw no arms. 

4475. Question — Did you hear whether it was Avhite or colored persons 
that had arms ? 

Answer — It was said that some of the colored persons had arms, but 
they didn't bring them on the election ground. It was reported that some 
had put their arms along the fence, near Mr. Gallman's house, but I 
know nothino' of it. 



302 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



4476. Question — Did you think the remarks of that man were calcu- 
lated to create a disturbance ? 

Answer — I thought his haranguing them might make some little dis- 
turbance. 

4477. Question — Is Suber's box close to Pomaria? 
Answer — It is within one-fourth mile. 

4478. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — With what political party do you 
affiliate ? 

Answer — I don't luiow. I suppose I might say the Democratic party, 
but I have taken no part in any of the elections. As School Commis- 
sioner, I thought it proper for me not to take part. 

4479. Question — Please state how you came to be nominated School 
Commissioner ? 

Answer — I was appointed Assistant Assessor by Mr. Van Wyck, and 
the colored people came to me frequently for information as to the state 
of aftairs, as they seemed to have confidence in me. I had no knowledge 
of the nomination for School Commissioner, until the nomination was 
made. 

4480. Question — Did you attend the Republican Convention, that 
made nominations for County officers ? 

Answer — No ; I was here in town all day, but did not attend the 
meeting. 

4481. Question — Did you suggest to any of the members of that Con- 
vention to mention your name ? 

Answer — No. 

4482. Question — Are you certain of that ? 
Answer — Yes, 

4483. Question — Then you were elected on the Radical ticket ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4484. Question — For that reason you used all your exertions for the 
Radical ticket? 

Answer — No ; but I thought, in justice to them, I would see that they 
should have a fair showing ? 

4485. Question — You said the Republicans at your box had tickets ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4486. Question — The Democrats had tickets also ? 

Answer — Yes ; they were trying to induce them to vote that ticket, 
I disliked that idea, and as a Manager felt it my duty to see fair play. 

4487. Question — So you think it fair for either party to use all persua- 
sion possible, to have persons vote their ticket ? 

Ansv/er — Yes. 

4488. Question — Then, why did you dislike it, that the Democrats were 
urging the colored men to vote their ticket? 

Answer — Because I thought this man was trying to influence them to 
vote a ticket, perhaps against their will, and I wanted to give them a fair 
chance to vote whatever ticket they pleased, 

4489. Question — Did the Democratic party have a candidate for 
School Commissioner on their ticket ? 

Answer — They had a nomination opposed to the one I was nominated 
upon ; but they declined in a day or two before the election. 

4490. Question — Did you attend that meeting ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 



Answer — No. 

4491. Question — Did you attend any Democratic meeting? 
Answer — No. 

4492. Question — Are you a member of their Club ? 

Answer— No ; I said, as School Commissioner, I would not identify 
myself wdth either party. 

4493. Question — Prior to your nomination, you affiliated with the 
Democrats more than with the Republicans ? 

Answer — I don't think I did; I never gave myself much trouble about 
the election. 

4494. Question — You say you were a Manager of Election at the late 
general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4495. Question — Were any voters rejected ? 
Answer — Not at that election. 

4496. Question — Were you here the day Associate Justice Hoge de- 
livered a speech in the court house ? 

Answer — No ; I left the day before. 

4497. Question — Were you here the day Lee Nance was killed ? 
Answer — I came up on the train that morning on business ; he had 

been killed some time when I arrived here. 

4498. Question — Did you witness anything unusual or extraordinary 
that day ? 

Answer — I only saw some of the colored people at Ben Harrington's, 
nearly opposite Nance's ; they spoke to me, and appeared to be much 
troubled and disturbed. I remained in town until the next day. 

4499. Question — Did you hear of the murder of a colored man named 
Johnson Stuart ? 

Answer — Yes. I was present at the Coroner's inquest on the body of 
Nance. 

4500. Question — Do you or do you not think the murder of those men 
(Nance and Stuart) was owing to the prominent part they took as leaders 
in the Republican party ? 

Answer — I have no doubt of it. 

4501. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that about one hundred 
colored persons came to the polls at which you were a Manager ; at what 
time in the morning did they come ? 

Answer — They had assembled pretty much about 12 o'clock. 

4502. Question — You stated there were but fourteen voted, and they 
voted the Democratic ticket. 

Answer — Yes. 

4503. Question — Did they come to the polls in a body ? 
Answer — No ; at different times. 

4504. Question — AVhat time in the day did you send out and get Re- 
publican tickets ? 

Answer — As soon as I discovered they had tickets. I had inquired 
for tickets, and found there were none on the table, then I sent out. 

4505. Question— Who had the tickets ? 

Answer — A colored man named John Henry Bomau. 

4506. Question — Who did you send out after the tickets ? 
Answer — Mr. Counts, a Manager. 



304 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



4507. Question — "Were they given up freely ? 

Answer — Yes ; the man gave him the whole package. I told Mr. 
Counts to tell him I only wanted forty, and he might keep the rest. 

4508. Question — Did Mr. Counts take them back ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4509. Question— When ? 
Answer — Before he came to me. 

4510. Question — How long a time did the colored men remain after 
that ? 

Answer — About two hours. 

4511. Question — You stated there was a man haranguing them, and 
you went out ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4512. Question — Who Avas that man ? 
Answer — Mr. Falk. 

4513. Question — Hoav long after he stopped talking did they leave ? 
Answer — They stayed some time ; they seemed to be expecting some 

one on the train, which came down, I think, about half past 1. 

4514. Question — Why did you go out and tell them they could vote ? 
Answer — I felt it to be my duty as Managei', as they had a right to 

vote there. 

4515. Question — Was it said by that man, that if they didn't vote the 
Democratic ticket they should not vote at all ? 

Answer — I could not iiear him for the noise. 

4516. Question — Was that not the rumor afterwards, that he said if 
they didn't vote the Democratic ticket they had better go home ? 

Answer — He endeavored to persuade them that it would be the best 
for them, so as to secure themselves homes. 

4517. Question — You said you heard they had arms? 
Answer — It was said by some persons that they had. 

4518. Question — Who said that ? 
Answer — Some white men. 

4519. Question — Do you, or do you not, know that white men that 
day had pistols buckled around them ? 

Answer — No doubt of it ? it has been common for our people to go 
armed that way. 

4520. Question — Has it, or has it not been said, since the election, by some 
colored men, that they were fearful they would be attacked that day, 
from the demonstration made, and so they concluded not to vote ? 

Answer — IVIade no such statement to me. 

4521. Question — From the best of yoiir knowledge and belief — from 
Avhat you have seen and heard — don't you think they were somewhat 
timid about voting the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — They were induced to believe, from the Democrat, that those 
who voted the Democratic ticket would have the preference in being em- 
ployed. 

4522. Question — That was urged there that day ? 

Answer — Yes, I could hear that much of that man's harangue — those 
who voted the Democratic ticket received certificates to that effect from 
a Committee appointed by the Democratic Club, and that Committee 
was there for that purpose, and gave them certificates that they had 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL BRISTICT, S. C. 305 



voted the Democratic ticket, and told them to take good care of it. It 
signified, if they wanted employment and provisioijs, it would be given 
to them. I understood such a resolution had been adopted by the Club. 

4523. Question — Was it not also stated in that harangue, if they did 
not vote at all, they would stand on a par with those that did vote the 
Democratic ticket? 

Answer — I didn't understand that, as I was then in a close room, and I 
could not leave the polls. It was about 12 o'clock when I addressed 
them, and asked them to vote, (the whites had all voted, except those 
who were present,) as we were preparing to go to dinner. 

4524. Question — Was not an impression produced there to the effect 
that the colored people could not vote unless they voted the Democratic 
ticket, and was it not that impression which caused you to go out and 
tell them they could vote ? 

Answer — I thought they were being interfered with rather too much, 
which caused me to go out and address them. 

Samuel Dogan, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

4525. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — Samuel Dogan. 

4526. Question — How long have you been a resident of Newberry 
County ? 

Answer — Four years. 

4527. Question — Do you know anything about the disturbances and 
outrages that occurred in this County, preceding and at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes ; of some. 

4528. Question — Please state about the difficulty you had with Murti- 
shaw ? 

Answer — I was on the pavement going home, and was belated tliree 
hoiirs in trying to get home, when I saw him at Mrs. Shodair's. He rode 
in the door with his horse, and some one spoke to me, and told me that 
Avas him, and thought he was after some mischief. Then I came up the 
street to the hotel corner, and he rode up to two Democrats, and they 
said : " Don't ride over us ; there is a Republican, (pointing to me,) you 
can ride over him." He turned his horse then, and came after 
me. There was a barber pole at the corner, and I got that 
post between his horse and myself, and kept it so as long as 
I could. I saw he was determined to ride over me, and I took his horse 
by the bridle. He told me to turn his Jiorse loose, and I did so. Pie 
pulled his horse back three or four steps, and came again with more 
force, and I caught him again. He cursed considerable, and said : " God 
damn you, turn him loose." I said : " I will not let you or any other 
man ride over me." However, I let him go again, and he pulled his 
horse back and came again with more force, and I caught him again. 
He then took out a plug of tobacco to take a chew, and then said : 
" God damn it, I will fix you," and got his pistol ; and when he drew his 
pistol, just at the time it was leaving its case, I drew mine and put it to 
his breast, and he dropped his back in its case again. I asked him why 
he drew his pistol on me, and it was some time before he could speak, and 
30 



306 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



then he said he didn't draw any pistol, for he didn't have any. I took 
my pistol and pushed his coat around and said : " There is your pistol." 
Then Willie Caldwell and Fitz Caldwell came up, and a good many 
citizens. Willie told me to let Murtishaw's horse go, and cursed me. 
Fitz Caldwell told me if I valued my life as anything to leave here. I 
told him I would not go a foot, as I knew what he was up to ; he wanted 
me to get out on the street to be killed by an unknown party. I then 
went back into Mr. Foot's store, and Murtishaw rode around to the win- 
dow and tried to shoot me through the store, and at that time there were 
about sixty or seventy whites, all Democrats, that came up there with 
the determination of breaking the door down and taking me out. Hamp 
Harris said if they would give him one dram he would break the store 
door down and take me out. Mr. Foot told me they were crowding up, 
and I had better make my escape out if I could. I went through a 
door into another, and into Mr. Poole's, and went out through the dining 
room into the garden, got over the fence, and went up to the Yankee 
camp for protection. They told me they could not do anything, and I 
must go back and call on the Sheriff. I came back and stopped at the 
corner by Nance's store. I was talking to several about what the Colo- 
nel told me. In coming over from the Yankee camp I met Wallace 
Cline at his gate, and he told me he wanted to give me a piece of good 
advice. He said I should always walk around a drunken man. 
He said : " Randolph is killed, and his body is now on the train." And he 
said that they intended to kill every leading Republican, and no Re- 
publican Judge should ever hold Court at Newberry. Well, I went 
from there over to the jail for the Sheriff, and could not find him ; I was 
then told that the road was waylaid between that and my house, and not 
to go home, and so I didn't go ; I went over to Sim Young's, and stayed 
until morning, and went home in the morning between daylight and sun 
up, and was not out of the yard until brought out by the Sheriff under 
arrest. Between forty and fifty men came with the Sheriff to arrest me, 
all of them armed ; I told the Sheriff I thought he had come to kill me 
instead of to arrest me. He said he understood I would not be taken ; 
I told him if he had sent me word I would have come myself; then I was 
taken to jail, and stayed ten days. 

4529. Question — State what you know in relation to the shooting of 
Ward? 

Answer — On Sunday morning after the row between Murtishaw and 
myself, there was a woman staying at Lambert Jones' ; she was a sister of 
one that came to my house that morning and said that Dan Ward had 
been shot. That was the first of my hearing of it ; that was about eight 
o'clock in the morning, and on Sunday morning. So far as Ward and 
myself are concerned, he is a man that never spoke a word out of the 
way to me, and I have nothing j^articular against him, and I have often 
went in his bar room and drank with him. 

4530. Question — Well, what occurred the day Mr. Hoge spoke at the 
court house ? 

Answer — The day Mr. Hoge spoke here, I was Chairman of the meet- 
ing. We had quite a crowd of Republicans present. A good many 
Democrats crowded around, and interfered with him while he was speak- 
ing ; I asked them not to interfere with our meeting, as we 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 807 



had not interfered at their meetings; Billy Fair told me to take 
my seat. Several men called him a liar while he was speaking ; 
after concluding his speech he started to the depot, and I have good rea- 
sons for believing that the Democrats intended to kill him, but 
we followed him to the train, Dick Gist, John Thompson, Dave 
Gist, Fitzgerald, Murtishaw, and Sim Boozer Avent into the Ex- 
press Office, at the depot, and Mr. Hoge sat in the window, and I saw 
they were trying to get a chance to shoot him, but there were so many 
colored men followed him down there they didn't do it. AVhen the train 
arrived at the depot, it stopped about five minutes, and Fitzgerald got 
up on the platform of the car, and Dan Ward rode around the car, and 
said : " Look out, there is a hog in the car ;" and after riding around he 
drew his pistol, and rode up to the window and asked where was that 
" damned Hoge," and all the time he had his pistol lying on the pommel 
of his saddle before him. Fitzgerald was standing on the platform, 
looking through the car at him, and I was standing right behind Fitz- 
gerald. He made an attempt to draw his pistol to shoot him, (Mr. Hoge,) 
through the window, and the conductor said : "None of that here now," 
and so Mr. Hoge got oft' without being killed. The day of the Demo- 
cratic meeting here, Tom Gary, Willie Harp, and two other men, whose 
names I do not now remember, rode up to me, and Tom Gary insisted on 
my taking oft' my Grant badge, and I for some time refused to take it 
oft", and finally he told me if I didn't he would kill me. One of those 
men, (I forget his name,) rode up to me, and snatched my hat from my 
head, and asked for a pistol to shoot me, but no one gave him a pistol. 
Now I will speak of the day of the Presidential election. I was giving 
out tickets, and seeing that they were put in the proper box, and I went 
up the Court House steps to show a man where to put his vote, and Dr. 
Fant was standing there, and he ordered me down, I refused to go, and 
he told me if I didn't leave there, he would put more holes into me than 
I could ever get stopped, " You God damned Radical rascal." Dr. Fant, 
Billy Fair, and John Montgomery challenged colored men, and took out 
of their hands every Republican ticket that they could get hold of; but 
some men would not let them have hold of their tickets, and instead of 
the Managers of Election asking where they registered, those men I have 
named did it. No Democrat was asked where he registered. Mr. 
Leavell, (Chairman of Managers,) told Dr. Fant that he wanted to have 
peace there that day, and if he didn't do better he must leave there. 
There were a good many votes lost, of men who registered here, and the 
men could not get to vote, because the Managers pretended they could 
not find their names. There were also some tobacco wagons here that 
day, from North Carolina, and one of the white boys went and voted, 
and no questions were asked him. There were ten precincts besides this 
one (at the Court House,) and there had been so many threats made, that 
they could not get the tickets to all the boxes ; the roads were blockaded, 
and they swore they would kill any man that had the tickets that day ; 
and Tom Paysingcr said in a Democratic meeting one night, to the Re- 
publicans present, that if they came and joined the Democrats he would 
insure their lives, and without it he Avould not. Wyatt Aiken said, in a 
speech, on the day of the Democratic meeting, " that every white man 
must bring a colored man's vote with him, and if he could not, he must 



308 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



prevent him from voting," and General Garlington said the sanle. One 
of the men that always carried Republican tickets to Croomer's came 
here and voted, and the road was waylaid so he could not go back home, 
and had to go from here to Columbia to save his life; it was a general 
rumor, (besides, several persons told me so,) that Sim Boozer tore up a 
good many Republican tickets at Frog Level. 

4531. Question (by Mr. Wright) — To the best of your knowledge and 
belief, do you think that the life of any Radical, white or black, was 
safe here prior to and at the general election ? 

Answer — No, not one — leading men especially. On the day of election 
I received a Ku Klux letter, with a coffin marked on it, and it said : 
" Flee for your life." I will also say, in relation to Gist, that I saw his 
horse hitched up in the woods, with three others, and saw the men's 
tracks around my house the next morning (at that time I was living on 
Lambert Jones' place). To the best of my knowledge, it was one of Gist's 
tracks, as I am somewhat acquainted with his tracks. He also told me 
that he intended to kill me, and I saw him point me out to Fitzgerald 
one day. \ 

4532. Question — Were you appointed one of the Managers of Election 
at the general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4533. Question — Did you serve as a Manager ? 
Answer — No. 

4534. Question — Why didn't you serve ? 

Answer — General Kinard sent for me, and advised me not to go, as 
they would kill me. 

4535. Question — Who did he refer to, when he said " they would kill 
you?" 

Answer — To Fitzgerald and Murtishaw. I believe it was a plot to kill 
me, by putting me on a box ten or twelve miles out in the country. 

4536. Question — Were any other colored men appointed as Managers 
besides yourself? 

Answer — Yes. 

4537. Question — How many ? 
Answer — One. 

4538. Question — Did he serve ? 
Answer — No. 

4539. Question — Do you know why he did not serve ? 

Answer — The Commissioners of Election appointed John Anderson as 
a Manager, at Maybinton, and they, down there, just put some one else 
in his place, and would not let him serve. 

4b40. Question — Was Mr. Nance appointed as a Manager of Election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4541. Question — Was he killed before the election? 
Answer — Yes. 

4542. Question — What office do you hold in this County ? 
Answer — I am a County Commissioner. 

4543. Question — As you are County Commissioner, you are somewhat 
conversant with the state of affairs in the whole County ; now, to the best 
of your knowledge and belief, did or did not the colored people have a 
chance to exercise the right of voting as they desired ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C, 309t 



Answer — No ; they did not. 

4544. Question — I)o you or do you not believe thut they were so in- 
timidated by threats, put forth by Democrats, that they were kept from 
voting as they desired '( 

Answer — Yes; I know they were so intimidated that they did not vote 
as they desired. To the best of my knowledge, on the day of election, 
every Avhite man and boy over sixteen years of age was armed. I told 
all the colored j^eople, (who asked my advice,) not to bring arms to the 
box. 

4545. Question — Were the colored people not generally armed ? 
Answer — No ; some few were armed. I might have seen probably 

twenty. I had my pistol. 

4546. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Were there other disturbances at 
the polls on election day, other than between you and Dr. Fant ? 

Answer — There Avere some little; Avhen I went to vote, Dr. Fant said: 
" You and many of you are voting your damnation," and Billy Fair 
said : " Yes you are." 

4547. Question — Did the colored people on that day have a fair chance 
to vote as they pleased 'i 

Answer — No, they did not. 

4548. Question — What prevented them ? 
Answer — The Democrats prevented them. 

4549. Question— How ? 

Answer — They first scared all from the box that they could. 

4550. Question — Did you hear any Democrats using threats? 
Answer — Yes. 

4551. Question — Name them. 
Answer — Bas Blease, for one. 

4552. Question — What did he say ? 

Answer — He said : "All you God damned Republicans are going to 
vote your last time now ; Seymour and Blair will be elected in spite of 
hell, and we will beat the Republican party a thousand here in spite of 
hell." 

4558. Question — Did you consider that to be a threat, his boasting 
that his party was going to beat your party ? 

Answer — I don't consider that Avas so much a threat, just that one 
word, but then he said : " All you that vote the Republican ticket Avill 
be turned off;" and Tom Blease said the same. 

4554. Question — Do you know any persons kept from voting by such 
threats? 

Answer — A good many. To the best of my knowledge, all those that 
did not vote were kept from voting by threats ; they (threats) Avere made 
in public speeches. 

4555. Question — Do you know of any colored men that came on the 
day of election with the intention of voting, that Avent off Avithout do- 
ing so ? 

Answer — I do. 

4556. Question — About hoAV many came here that day AA'ith the inten- 
tion of voting and Avent away Avithout doing it '( 

Answer — Only two told me that they didn't get to vote, that I recol- 



310 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



lect the names of ; but many have told me since that they carried their 
tickets back home, being afraid to vote. 

4557. Question — Will you mention some other threatening words that 
Democrats used that day ? 

Answer — The most I heard were made to me on that day. I was not 
there all the time, for I had a chill and went home and laid down. 

4558. Question — Among the party that followed Mr. Hoge to the cars, 
were there any leading Democrats ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4559. Question — Who were they? 
Answer — Dick Gist, for one. 

4560. Question — Was he a leading Democrat? 
Answer — He was, to the best of my knoAvledge. 

4561. Question — Did he make Democratic speeches? 
Answer — No ; did everything else that is mean except that. 

4562. Question — Do you mean to say, you judge of men being leading 
Democrats by being mean ? 

Answer — Yes ; that is one way of judging; I know Gist, and know he 
is a leading Democrat. 

4563. Question —When you say that Democrats do so and so, you 
mean that you regard them as Democrats because they act mean ? 

Answer — I know they were Democrats, because they told me so ; some 
Republicans do mean things too. 

4564. Question — Please state a mean thing you have known Republi- 
cans to do in the County ? 

Answer — A good many have not come before this Committee and given 
evidence, because they Avere afraid of threats. 

4565. Question — Name another mean thing the Republican party has 
done? 

Answer — I believe that is the meanest thing they were ever guilty of. 

4566. Question — W^hat were the words that Hoge made use of in the 
court house, that day, that exasperated the Avhite people so much ? 

Answer — Pie brought up something about Seymour, in New York, at 
the time the Irish were hanging colored people to the lamp posts, and 
about their burning up the Orphan House. He said Seymour didn't protect 
the colored people ; that is what I heard, to the best of my knowledge. 

4567. Question — Did you or did you not hear him say, that the poor 
Irish and Dutch were the scum of creation ? 

Answer — No. 

4568. Question — Did you hear anything that meant that ? 
Answer — Not unless what I stated meant it. 

4569. Question — From what you could see and learn, the day Hoge 
was here, was he scared ? 

Answer — I don't think he was, while in the court house speaking. I 
thought he was when sitting in the window of the express oiRce at the 
depot, Avhen those men were fixing to shoot him. 

4570. Question — Did you get in between him and those men you 
thought were going to shoot ? 

Answer — No ; they were behind him, he was sitting in the window, and 
we were out on the platform. 

4571. Question — Did you have any conversation with a little colored 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S, C. 311 



boy, between the time Dan Ward was shot and the time you were arrested 
for complicity in that affair? 

Answer — No, not until I was out of jail ; going home, my wife and self 
met him. I said to him : " What did you tell them that I said Dan 
Ward was shot for, and if he didn't die we would kill him," (that was the 
understanding I had of what the boy had said.) He said: "IfitAvas 
not you it was somebody." I knew the boy when I saw him, but I had 
never had any conversation with him. 

4572. Question — When you first heard that Ward was shot, what was 
the rumor in regard to who shot him? 

Answer — There w'as none until when I was arrested. AVhen I was go- 
ing down by Dr. Mayer's shop, (it was said that there was where he was 
shot,) John Montgomery said : "Here is where Dogan's battle ground 
was." I said : "It is a damned lie ; you talk as though you know about 
it." 

4573. Question — What did he say to that ? 
Answer — Nothing. 

4574. Question — There was a rumor afloat in regard to who shot him? 
Answer — No ; I have never got hold of it yet. I heard of no one be- 
ing armed but the Democrats that night. 

4575. Question — Have you never ascertained who Avere in the party 
that shot Ward ? 

Answei* — No ; I have never tried, for I didn't think I could if I had 
tried. The understanding I got Avas, that I was to have been shot that 
night, as the way between my house and here was waylaid. 

4576. Question — Who told you that? 
Answer — Matt Gray. 

4577. Question — Where did he get his information ? 

Answer — I don't know where. He advised me not to go home, and 
that Willie Caldwell was one, and Eli Franklin had waylaid the road, 
and that jMurtishaw was riding up and down the road ; so I didn't go 
home. 

4578. Question — Do you know of any outrages that were committed 
about this place, previous to Hoge's speaking in the court house ? 

Answer — A Democrat attacked me the day of the Democratic meet- 
ing. 

4579. Question — Do you know of any others ? 

Answer — Eli Franklin shot at Tom Stuart, and Sim Boozer shot at 
Drayton Joniken. 

4580. Question — Was anybody killed within the incorporation of the 
town of Newberry, during the space of time that intervened between the 
adoption of the present Constitution and Judge Hoge's speaking at New- 
bery Court House ? 

Answer — Johnson and Lee Nance, 

4581. Question — Was this after Hoge made his speech? 
Answer — Johnson was murdered the day the speech was made. 

4582. Question — When was Nance ? 
Answer — After the speech. 

4583. Question — Was it or was it not a general rumor that Nance was 
killed because he was with the party that attempted to assassinate young 
Ward? 



)12 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No ; not that I know. 

4584. Question — What was the rumor ? 

Answer — He was killed, to the best of my loiowledge, for his princi- 
ples. He was elected President of the Union League, and they were 
sworn to kill all the leading men. 

4585. Question— Who ? 

Answer — The Democratic party ; that was my understanding. 

4586. Question — Where did you get your information ? 
Answer — From Wallace Cline. 

4587. Question — That the Democrats were sworn to kill leading Re- 
publicans '( 

Answer — Yes. 

4588. Question — Before the election, was there not a very bitter feel- 
ing among the Republicans towards the Democrats ? 

Answer — No, not to my understanding. I told the colored people we 
were in the majority, and to treat the Democrats with respect ; and that 
we could carry the election if we could get to vote. 

4589. Question — Is Wallace Cline a Democrat ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4590. Question — How do you know ? 

Answer — Because I heard him say so, concerning the election ; when 
I was nominated for County Commissioner we had some conversation, and 
he was running down the Republicans. 

4591. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you here the day Minor 
made a speech ? 

Answer — Yes ; I stood off and heard him call for Dogan several times 
in his speech. 

4592. Question — In what way ? 

Answer — He said : " Where is Dogan ?" I think he said : " Dogan 
was run ofl* from Union for stealing," or something of the kind. 

4593. Question — Did you witness an altercation between Mr. Rains 
and a white man ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4594. Question — State what you saw and what you heard. 

Answer — I am not able to tell you exactly the words, as I was too far 
oif to understand. When I saw it, two men were making towards him, 
one with a pistol and one with a knife. 

4595. Question — Were those two men white or colored ? 
Answer — White men. 

4596. Question — Did you recognize either of them ? 

Answer — No. Garlington cried out, " Take away that man with the 
pistol." 

4597. Question — Did you hear what was tlae cause of the altercation? 
Answer — Something about Liberia, I think. 

4598. Question — Is Rains a Republican ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4599. Question — From the state of affairs that day, did it appear to 
you that Mr. Rains' lifi was in jeopardy ? 

Answer — Yes ; he would have been killed had it not been for two men. 

4600. Question — Did you witness anything further that day ? 
Answer — Only saw them carry him up the steps of the Court House. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 81( 



Willie Kinard and General Kinard took him up, and said he should not 
be hurt. 

4601. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Who quelled that row ? 
Answer — General Garlington and Willie Kinard. 

4602. Question — Were they Democrats or Radicals ? 
Answer — Both Democrats. 

4603. Question — Do you think that was a good or bad action ? 
Answer — I can't tell ; I suppose it was good for the man that was 

saved. 

James Gauntt, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

4604. Question — What is your full name ? 
Answer — James Gauntt. 

4605. Question — How long have you been a resident of Newberry 
County ? 

Answer — Ever since I was born. 

4606. Question — Were you a Manager of Election at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — No. 

4607. Question — In what portion of this County do you reside ? 
Answer — In this town. 

4608. Question — Were you living in town before the last general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4609. Question — Do you know any thing about disturbances or out- 
rages that occurred in this County before the election 't 

Answer — No ; I always attend to my own business, and don't attend 
to that of other persons. 

4610. Question — Were you here on the day of election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4611. Question — Did you see any disturbances that day ? 
Answer — I didn't go to vote. 

4612. Question— Why not? 
Answer — I didn't feel like it. 

4613. Question — Have you never been identified with either j)olitical 
party here ? 

Answer — No, and don't expect to. 

4614. Question — Do you ever vote ? 

Answer — I have not voted in ten or fiiteen years, and then I saw the 
thing was so bad I quit it. I saw a man who could not write have his 
vote changed, and he put it in, and I thought it was time to quit. 

4615. Question — There have certainly been some considerable disturb- 
ances in this town ; didn't you see or hear of them ? 

Answer — Yes, I heard of them ; at night I go to bed, and in the day 
I am at Avork ? 

4616. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How many years ago was it that 
occurrence took place, where one man who could not write had his vote 
changed and put in ? 

Answer — Between eighteen and twenty years ago. I don't think I 
have voted since. 
40 



314 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



4617. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Whicli of the two political par- 
ties do you think the best ? 

Answer — I never bother my head about it. I don't think I have sense 
enough to know which is right and which is wrong, and I don't trouble 
about it. 

On motion, at 3 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow at 
9 A.M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Newberry, S. C, June 5, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A. M., and pro- 
ceeded to business. 

John W. Miller, sworn : 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

4618. Question — What is your name ? 
Answer — John W. Miller. 

4619. Question — How long have you been a resident of Newberry 
County ? 

Answer — Born and raised here. 

4620. Question — Were you living in the town of Newberry for a few 
months preceding the last general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4621. Question — Where were you the night Ward was shot? 

Answer — I was merchandising in this town, and that night, after clos- 
ing my store, I walked up the street, met with a friend, and we returned 
down the street again to my store, and we saw two negroes come out of 
Lee Nance's house. I then separated from this friend, and walked down 
the street alone, and came back and sat near Ann Dawkins', (a colored 
woman,) and I saw a party of armed men come out of Lee Nance's 
store ; the door opened and there came out, I suppose, between eight and 
twelve men, and the word halt was given as they stepped out. They 
then came up the street, and after that I paid little attention ; I think 
they turned in by the negro church, but of this I am not positive. That 
is all I know, except from hearsay. I know Ward was shot that night. 

4622. Question — What time of night was this ? 

Answer — After 9 o'clock — between 9 and 10 o'clock when I saw them 
come out. I am not certain about what time it was. 

4623. Question — Did you recognize any of the party ? 
Answer — No. 

4624. Question — Did you hear the firing on Ward ? 
Answer — No ; I was asleep at the time. 

4625. Question (by Mr. Wright) — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — A farmer. 

4626. Question — What was your occupation at the time of the firing 
on Ward ? 



THIRD CO?(rGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 315 



Answer — I was merchandising, 

4627. Question — How far did you live from Mr. Nance's store ? 
Answer — About two hundred yards. 

4628. Question — Was your store closed at that time of night ? the 
time you say you observed the party come out of Lee Nance's ? 

Answer — Yes. 

4629. Question — What time did you close your store ? 

Answer — I cannot tell about what time ; the stores in town generally 
close 

4630. Question — The questson is, about what time you closed your 
store that night ? 

Answer — I should say, between 5 and 8 o'clock at night. 

4631. Question — After closing your store, where did you go ? 
Answer— I walked up the street. 

4632. Question— How far? 

Answer — I don't know; I tkink as far as Mr. Smith's billiard room. 

4633. Question — How far is that from your store. 
AnsAver — About one-quarter of a mile, I think. 

4634. Question — When you came up to the billiard room, about how 
long did you remain there ? 

Answer — I can't tell ; it may have been a quarter of an hour, and 
may have been longer ; likely a half or three quarters of an hour. 

4635. Question — Who was the friend that went with you ? 
Answer — Mr. Tench Poole. 

4636. Question — Where did you stop in returning ? 

Answer — I think we stopped at my store ; he returned, and I walked 
down the street. 

4637. Question — Which way did you go from your store ? 
Answer — Down the street towards the depot. 

4638. Question — Where were you when you saw the first two persons 
come out of Nance's store ? 

Answer — We Avere right there at the negro church ; Poole was with 
me. 

4639. Question — This negro church is about hoAV far from Nance's 
door step '( 

AnsAver — Fifty to tAA'o hundred feet. 

4640. Question — Is it on the same side of the street as Nance's house ? 
AnsAver — On the opposite side. 

4641. Question — It is Avhere the colored people meet ? 
AnsAver — I am told so. 

4642. Question — About A\hat hour in the night was it Avhen you and 
your friend saAv those tAA'o persons come out of Mr. Nance's ? 

Answer — I closed the store, and came up the street as far as Mr. 
Smith's billiard room, and I met this man, and Avalked doAvn, and goin"- 
back I saAV tAvo men come out. ^ 

4643. Question — AVere those two men that came out armed ? 
AnsAver — I cannot tell ; I saAV no arms. 

4644. Question — Hoav long was it after you saAA' those two men come 
out, before you saw eight or twelve others come out ? 

AnsAver — Mr. Poole and myself separated right at ray store, and I 
went doAvn the street and returned. 



316 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



4645. Question — Which way did Poole go ? 

Answer — He came back up the street after I bid him good night. 

4646. Question — Don't you know whether he started from you up the 
street? 

Answer — Yes. 

4647. Question — Did he go in the direction of the billiard room ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4648. Question — Which way did you go ? 
Answer — Down the street. 

4649. Question — Towards the depot? 
Answer — Yes. 

4650. Question — About how far is it from where you and Poole sepa- 
rated to the depot ? 

Answer — About five hundred yards. 

4651. Question — How near did you go to the depot ? 
Answer — Within one hundred yards, I think. 

4652. Question — Did you pass Nance's house? 

Answer — Yes ; on the same side that leads to the depot, but not on the 
same side that Nance's house is on. 

4653. Question — You were then on the opposite side of the street from 
Nance's house? 

Answer — Yes. 

4654. Question — Did you or did you not cross the main street, and 
turn down the road, which is between Nance's house and the depot? 

Answer — Yes. 

4655. Question — How far did you go down that street before you 
stopped ? 

Answer — Twenty to thirty yards. 

4656. Question — Did you cross a little bridge? 
Answer — No ; I stopped this side of the bridge. 

4657. Question — How long did you remain there? 
Answer — Until I attended to a call of nature. 

4658. Question — Who was with you at that time ? 

Answer — No one ; that is why I went down there, after I separated with 
my friend. 

4659. Question — When you returned, how far were you from Nance's 
house, when you saw eight or twelve men come out? 

Answer — I suppose between one hundred and two hundred yards. 

4660. Question — This was about what hour in the night, when you 
saw those men ? 

Answer — I think, between 9 and 10 o'clock. 

4661. Question — This was Avhat evening in the week ? 
Answer — I cannot tell. 

4662. Question— What month ? 

Answer — I cannot tell ; but it Avas the night Dan Ward was shot. 

4663. Question — What night was he shot ? 
Answer — I cannot give the date ? 

4661. Question — Do you know whether Friday or Saturday? 

Answer — I don't know. 

4665. Question — AVhere were you standing at the time you saw those 



TSnCED CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 317 



men — between the depot and Nance's, or between the court house and 
Nance's? 

Answer — Between Nance's and the depot. 

4666. Question — On which side of Main street were you then ? 
Answer — On the opposite side from Nance's. 

4667. Question — How many of those persons that came out were 
armed ? 

Answer — I can't tell. I think I saw four or five guns, perhaps more ; 
as the door opened these men stepped out, and the word halt was given, 
and from the light I could see they were armed. 

4668. Question — They then went towards the church? 
Answer — Yes. 

4669. Question — The church is nearly opposite the store ? 
Answer — In an oblique direction. 

4670. Question (by ^Ir. Smalls) — The night you saw the crowd come 
out of Nance's, was it a dark night, or was it moonlight ? 

Answer — I am unable to tell that ; the way I saw the guns was from 
the light from the door opening. 

4671. Question — Was it a cloudy night ? 
Answer — I can't tell. 

4672. Question — What distance could you have distinguished any ob- 
ject on the street ? 

AnsAver — I can't tell. 

4673. Question — Could you distinguish whether those persons were 
white or colored ? 

Answer — I can't tell whether they were white or colored, but I saw 
their guns. 

4674. Question — Did you, or did you not, see any persons on the same 
side of the street as you were, when they came out '( 

Answer — I don't think there were ; I was alone. 

4675. Question — As soon as that party came out you continued on ? 
Answer — Yes, I came up the street, and went home. 

4676. Question — On your way home did you meet any persons on the 
street ? 

Answer — I don't remember. 

4677. Question — On your way home did you meet any white persons 
on the street with whom you were acquainted ? 

Answer — I can't tell ; I can't remember. I may have met half a 
dozen. 

4678. Question — According to your best knowledge and belief, did 
you meet any one ? 

Answer — I can't tell. 

4679. Question — Do you think you met any person ? 

Answer — Perhaps I might, and perhaps I didn't ; all I remember is 
seeing those men come out of Nance's, and then I went direct home. 

4680. Question — Did you, or did you not, see Ward that night on the 
street, and have a conversation with him ? 

Answer — I don't remember that ; I may have, and may have not had. 
I can't tell positively. 

4681. Question — Did you, or did you not, tell any person that night 
about you seeing those armed men ? 



318 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I can't tell Avhcther I did or not. 

4682. Question — Don't you think it was your duty, as a citizen, when 
you saw a party of armed men come out on the street, to have informed 
the authorities at once ? 

Answer — Well, I had understood that Dogan had been guarded home 
before, and it occurred to me that he was being guarded home that 
night. 

4683. Question — Then, you supposed that those men you saw coming 
out of Mr. Nance's house that night were going to guard Dogan to his 
home ? 

Answer — Yes ; it occurred to me they were going to do that. 

4684. Question — Didn't you think it was your duty to notify the citi- 
zens that you thought Dogan Avas being guarded home ? 

Answer — I say it occurred to me that something of the kind was going 
to be done again, as it had been before, so I understood. 

4685. Question — Were you charged some time ago with the killing of 
a boy ? 

Answer — No ; I had to leave home once about a man being killed. 

4686. Question — Yes ; but were you charged some time ago Avith the 
killing of a boy ? 

Answer — I say no ; I never have been charged. I came and saw the 
officer, and told him I was willing to go to General Scott, (he Avas not 
Governor then,) or Avhoever Avas in command in Charleston. 

4687. Question (by Mr. CrcAvs, Chairman) — What was the name of the 
man killed that caused you to leave home? 

Mr. Bryant — I object to asking a question of Avitness Avhich might 
criminate himself. 

Witness — Why, the name Avas Jack Blease. 

4688. Question (by Mr. CrcAvs, Chairman) — You say you were not 
charged. Noav, Avhy did you leave then ? 

Mr. Bryant, (To Avitness) — You are not bound to ansAver that ques- 
tion. 

Mr. Creavs — I Avish the question ansAvered, and insist on the witness 
answering it ; I submit it to the Committee. 

4689. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — I Avill ask, for information, (to 
Avitness,) Avhat year did this occurrence take place ? 

Answer — It has been nearly three years ago. 

Mr. Smalls — I don't think that is a matter for this Committee to take 
cognizance of; it occurred before the adoption of our Constitution. 

Mr. Crews, Chairman — Prior to, I understand to mean after the sur- 
render. 

Mr. Bryant — The Committee have decided not to go beyond the time 
of the adoption of the State Constitution. 

Mr. Smalls — I Avill sustain the objection of Mr. Bryant. 

Mr. WRitJHT — I Avill sustain the objection, because the witness has 
been asked a question which he has refused to answer ; Avitnesses may testify 
in any criminal case, and lawyers may ask them any question, but a ques- 
tion tending to criminate himself the Avitness is not bound to ansAver. 

Mr. Creavs — I don't mean to criminate him. 

Mr. Wright — The question is : " What did you leave for ?" Now, he 
might have left because he killed a man, and he Avould notAvishtosay so. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 31 9 



Mr. Crews — Well ; I will withdraw the question. 

4690. Question — Did you see any one shoot that boy ? 
Answer — A man rode up and shot him. 

4691. Question — Do you know that man ? 
Answer — No. 

4692. Question — Have you an idea who he was ? 

Answer— No ; I had just returned from Texas, and had not unpacked 
my trunk. 

4693. Question— Have you since found out who he was ? 
Answer — No. 

Warren Hodges Jones, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

4694. Question — What is your name, in full ? 
Answer — Warren Hodges Jones. 

4695. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Since I was born. 

4696. Question— Were you a Manager of Election at the last general 
election ? 

Answer — No. 

4697. Question — In what portion of the County do you reside ? 
Answer — In this town. 

4698. Question — Do you know any thing about disturbances or out- 
rages occurring here before the election ? 

Answer — No. 

4699. Question — Were you here on the day of election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4700. Question — Did you see any disturbance ? 
Answer — No, none at all. 

4701. Question — AVere you a member of the Democratic organization 
in this town ? 

Answer — I was. 

4702. Question — Were you a member of the District Central Club of 
that organization ? 

Answer — No. 

4703. Question — Did you regularly attend the Democratic meetings ? 
Answer — No. 

4704. Question — Were you an officer in this Club ? 
Answer — No. 

4705. Question — Were you generally posted, by other members, of the 
Club's proceedings ? 

Answer — Only the newspaper report. 

4706. Q,uestion — Do you know whether there were any efforts made 
by this Club to intimidate colored persons from voting at the election ? 

Answer — None that I know of. 

4707. Question — Was it your understanding, as a member of this 
Club, that the Club intended that the colored people should have a fair 
chance to vote as they desired ? 

Answer — That was my understanding. 

4708. Question — AVere you about the Court House on the day of the 
general election ? 



320 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No, only an hour in the morning. It was about an hour be- 
fore I got to vote, and after voting I returned. 

4709. Question — Were you in town the night Dan Ward was shot ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4710. Question — Did you see or hear anything of the excitement that 
night ? 

Answer — No ; I didn't know it until the next morning, and then my 
hired Avoman told me. 

4711. Question — Were you in town the day Lee Nance was killed? 
Answer — Yes. 

4712. Question — Do you know anything of the excitement that pre- 
vailed that day ? 

Answer — No ; only the excitement after he was shot. 

4713. Question — Did the killing of Nance meet the approbation of 
your Club ? 

Answer — I don't think it did. 

4714. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — To the best of your knowledge and 
belief, don't you think that Nance and Johnson Stuart were killed on ac- 
count of the prominent part they took in the Republican party ? 

Answer — I think not. 

Mr. Bryant — I enter my objection to that question, because he asks 
what the witness thinks. 

4715. Question (by Mr. Crews, Chairman, to witness) — Why don't you 
think so ? 

Answer — Had they killed them for their political opinions, they would 
have killed others, as there were others more bold and outspoken than 
Nance. Nance has the name of being a conservative member in the Con- 
vention. 

Mr. Bkyant — I object to that question and answer. 

4716. Question (by Mr, Crews, Chairman) — Were you acquainted with 
Johnson Stuart? 

Answer — No. 

4717. Question — If you were not acquainted with him, why do you 
say he was not killed for his political opinions ? 

Answer — I don't think it was for his political opinions. I will state, 
I knew him when I saw him on the street. 

4718. Question — Do you know whether he was a Republican or Dem- 
ocrat ? 

Answer — No. 

4719. Question — Then you don't know why he was killed? 
Answer — No ; he was a peaceable and inoffensive man. 

4720. Question — Did you ever hear anything against him ? 
Answer — No. 

4721. Question — Did you see any unusual excitement that morning, 
just before Nance was shot? 

Answer — No. 

4722. Question — Did you see Gist that morning ? 
Answer — He passed and repassed that morning, 

4723. Question — Was he over in town when Nance was shot ? 
Answer — He passed before Nance was shot. 

4724. Question — Did you ever hear threats made against Nance ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 321 



Answer — No. 

4725. Question — Against any member of the Republican party ? 
Answer — No. 

4726. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that you didn't under- 
stand it to be the policy of the Democratic party to intimidate colored 
people from exercising the right to vote as they saw fit, but you say you 
were a member of the Democratic Club ; now, were you in the Club meet- 
ing the evening an interesting discussion took place, in relation to not 
employing persons that voted the Radical ticket? 

Answer — I was not. 

4726. Question — Were you cognizant of such resolutions being before 
the Club ? 

Answer — Well, I knew it was offered by some of the Democrats. 

4727. Question — Were there any Republicans in your Democratic 
Club? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

4729. Question — How did you know those resolutions were offered ? 
Answer — I found it out from the man who offered it. 

4730. Question — Who was that man ? 
Answer — It was Dr. Spearman. 

4731. Question — Was his resolution adopted. 
Answer — No. 

4732. Question— What became of it ? 
Answer — •! don't know. 

4733. Question — Then, you are not cognizant of the doings of the 
Democratic Club ? 

Answer — No. 

4734. Question — Then, you were not an active member ? 
Answer — No ; I just simply voted the Democratic ticket. 

4735. Question — It being a fact that you are not an active member of 
the Democratic party, but only simply voting that ticket, how can you 
testify here that it was not their policy to intimidate persons from voting? 

Answer — If it Avere their policy it is not known to me. 

4736. Question — Does it not appear to you that the introduction of a 
resolution, which resolution stated that any colored person who voted the 
Radical ticket would not be employed by those who desired to employ 
laborers, would have a tendency to keep the colored people from voting 
as they desired ? 

Answer — I don't know what effect it would have on colored people ; I 
can only speak of myself. 

4737. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — A merchant. 

Robert Rutherford, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

4738. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes ; live in this town. 

4739. Question — Plow long have you resided here ? 
Answer — Three years. 

4740. Question — What was your occupation prior to the election ? 
Answer — I was employed at carpentering. 

41 



322 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



4741. Question — Who were you working for ? 
Answer — Edward Christian, 

4742. Question — Did he ever tell you how you should vote ? 
Answer — No. 

4743. Question — Did anybody. 

Answer — Several, at places where I worked. 

4744. Question — What did they say to you about voting ? 

Answer — Mr. Richard Chapman asked me which way I intended to 
vote at the election, and I told him I didn't know. 

4745. Question — Did he use any threatening language to you about 
voting ? 

Answer — No, only he said if I voted the Republican ticket he would 
give me no more work. 

4746. Question — Who said that? 
Answer — Richard Chapman. 

4747. Question — Did any other person tell you the same ? 

Answer — No ; a young white man here asked me which way I expected 
to vote ; I said the way I thought best. He said if I voted the Demo- 
cratic ticket it would be the best. 

4748. Question — Did he threaten you in any way ? 

Answer — He said if I voted the Republican ticket I should not work 
for him again. I told him I didn't know which ticket I would vote. 

4749. Question — Did any body else say anything about not employing 
you? 

Answer — No. 

4750. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4751. Question — Were you disturbed while at the polls ? 

Answer — I was ordered to leave the place where I was staying after I 
did vote. 

4752. Question — For what reason ? 

Answer — Because I voted the Republican ticket. 

4753. Question — With whom were you working then ? 
Answer — For Mr. Christian. 

4754. Question — Did you get into any altercation with any person or 
persons on election day ? 

Answer — No. 

4755. Question — Were you here the day Associate Justice Hoge spoke 
in the Court House ? 

Answer — No ; I was eighteen miles from here at work. 

4756. Question — Were you in town the day Lee Nance was killed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

Examination closed at 2 P. M. 

Mr. Wright — I move this Committee do now adjourn, to meet in 
Columbia on Monday morning next, at 10 o'clock. 

Mr. Smalls — I object to going to Columbia ; we should go to Abbe- 
ville. I think, however, Mr. Bryant stated he had other witnesses here 
he desired to be examined. 

Mr. Bryant — Yes, I have one or two witnesses I think important. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, 8, C. 323 



Mr. McIntyre — I move we remain here and examine Mr. Bryant's 
witnesses. 

After a brief discussion, Mr. AVriglit moved that the examination of 
witnesses at Newberry now close, and this Committee do now adjourn to 
meet in Columbia, on Monday next, at 10 A. M., to revise the testimony 
taken. 

Mr. Smalls — I move, as an amendment: *'and that the Clerk, 
is hereby directed to deliver to the Committee the testimony he has 
written up." 

The amendment being accepted, the question was put, and the motion 
agreed to. 



ABBEVILLE COUNTY, 



PROCEEDINGS Aro EVIDENCE. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, June 22, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met in the Court House, at 
Abbeville, this date, 10 A. M, 

A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

William Hill, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

1. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2. Question — How long a time have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Forty-seven years. 

3. Question — Do you reside within the incorporation ? 
Answer — Yes, I have for fifteen or eighteen years. 

4. Question — Are you a public officer here ? 
Answer — Yes ; Judge of the Probate Court. 

5. Question — Do you know of any disturbances, or any acts of intimi- 
dation or outrages, committed in this County prior to and at the late 
general election ? 

Answer — I do not. 

6. Question — You state that you don't know of any murders or other 
outrages ? 

Answer — I have heard of Randolph and Martin. 

7. Question — Simply heard ? 
Answer — Yes. 

8. Question — Are you a member of any political organization in this 
County ? 

Answer — I did have my name entered on the roll of the Democratic 
Club, but never was at a meeting of the Club. I authorized my name 
to be entered, and I suppose it was. 

9. Question — Before ordering your name to be enrolled as a member 
of the Democratic Club, did you or did you not become acquainted with 
the rules and by-laws which governed the Club ? 

Answer — I never saw the rules. 

10. Question — Did you ever attend any public meetings of any politi- 
cal party ? 

Answer — I attended a meeting at which I heard Mr. Wright speak, 



328 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



but, to my recollection, I never attended any Democratic meeting, public 
or private. 

11. Question — Do you know of any combination formed here, for the 
purpose of intimidating persons and to keep them from voting ? 

Answer — I do not, and do not believe there were any such. 

12. Question — Do you or do you not know of any determination not to 
employ persons who voted in any other way than with the Democratic 
party ? 

Answer — I do not know. I understand, though, that there is one man 
in the town Avho will not employ, or keep in his employ, any man who 
votes the Republican ticket, and, I understand, that he will discharge any 
who do not vote the Democratic ticket. 

13. Question — Were there or were there not, prior to the late general 
election, threats made that if the colored men voted the Republican ticket, 
they would not be allowed to remain on plantations, or other places 
where they were employed ? 

Answer — None, to my knowledge. 

14. Question — Was there not a bitter feeling against Republicans in 
this County prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — I should say there was an unkind feeling; but I mean by 
unkind feeling, no intention to do the party any injury personally. The 
same feeling was on the other side also. 

15. Question — Do you believe that it was perfectly safe for any promi- 
nent Republican to openly exj^ress his sentiments prior to the late general 
election ? 

Answer — I would not have apprehended any danger to any one. 

16. Question — You were at the polls, I suppose, on the day of elec- 
tion? 

Answer — Several times up here ; frequently up to see how things were 
going on ? 

17. Question — Was every thing quiet and orderly on that day ? 
Answer — Usually so. 

18. Question — Did the colored people vote generally ? 

Answer — There were no obstacles in the way of any man voting, as 
far as I could see ; there were regulations made in the morning for colored 
men, on the one side of the entrance, and the white men on the other. 

19. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Dou you, or do you not, know that 
Randolph and Martin were killed on account of the prominent part they 
took in politics in this County ? 

Answer — -I do not know that that was the cause of their death ; but 
most probably it was. 

20. Question — AVhat was the general character of Mr. Martin ? 
Answer — A sober, industrious man ; I never heard anything to the 

contrary. I have known him twenty years. 

21. Question — On what ticket were you elected Judge of Probate ? 
Answer — Democratic ticket ; but I received many votes from Repub- 
lican men ; they would vote for me and not others on the ticket. 

22. Question — You say you were not acquainted with the by-laws and 
rules of the Democratic party ? 

Answer — I was not ; I don't recollect of ever seeing the by-laws. I 
might possibly have read the by-laws in the papers, but don't recollect it. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 329 



23. Question — Did you, or did you not, receive circulars, or other in- 
formation, from persons belonging to the Democratic Club ? 

Answer — I did not ; I became a member about the winding up of the 
Club. 

24. Question — Did the Democrats nominate you as Judge of Probate ? 
Answer — I nominated myself. 

25. Question — Who nominated the balance of the County officers of 
the ticket on which you Avere elected ? 

Answer — There was no name on that ticket but my own ; two ran, Mr. 
Nicholls and myself. 

26. Question — To what party did Mr. Nicholls belong ? 

Answer — I understand he was nominated by the Radical party ; Mr, 
Martin told me so. 

27. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said there w^as considerable un- 
kindness, but you didn't mean to say that that unkiudness would tend to 
the injury of any individuals. Did you or did you not know of indi- 
viduals being injured through that unkiudness? 

Answer — I did not. 

28. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Are you a subscriber of the Abbeville 
Press or Banner ? 

Answer — I am not a subscriber, but read both papers. 

29. Question— Did you read them very often before the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes, generally. 

30. Question — Do you or do you not recollect reading a circular or 
communication published in one or both of those papers, signed by Gen. 
McGowan, Mr. Homer McGowan, Col. Aiken, and others, concerning the 
employment of the colored people? 

Answer — If I read it I do not recollect it or anything connected with 
it ; I may have read, it but don't recollect the contents of any such pro- 
clamation. 

31. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Are you certain that the Republi- 
cans had a free and unbiased expression at the late general election ? 

Answer — I saw nothing at all calculated to prevent or intimidate any 
person from voting that wished to vote. 

32. Question — Can you say for a certainty that it was the same at 
other polls in the County ? 

Answer — I only speak for this place (Abbeville C. H.) 

33. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Did you hear Col. Aiken make a speech 
here prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — No ; I heard the sound of his voice, but never listened 
to the speech. 

34. Question — Did you ever hear General McGowan or Mr. Homer 
McGowan make a speech here ? 

Answer — I have heard General McGowan. 

35. Question — What time was it you heard him ? 
Answer — I can't say ; I have heard him frequently. 

36. Question — Did you hear him make a political speech while the 
campaign was going on, prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — I cannot say that I have. 

42 



830 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



37. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Was Mr. Randolph considered by the 
people in this County a very prominent politician ? 

Answer — I should say that he Avas. 

38. Question — Did you hear the people generally, in the town, express 
themselves in relation to his death? 

Answer — I heard a good deal of talk concerning his death. 

89. Question — Please state what that general talk was. 

Answer — I think the general impression of the people was, not so much 
regret at his death as the consequences it might bring upon the County. 
I don't think, as a general thing, it was regretted much. 

40. Question — Did you hear a general talk in relation to the killing of 
Mr. Martin also ? 

Answer — Yes. 

41. Question — Now, please state what was the general talk in relation 
to him ? 

Answer — I think I heard as many regret his death as otherwise. 

42. Question — Did ihej speak of what tlie causes of his death Avere. 
Answer — The impression here on that day, (Mr. Martin Avas in my 

office that day,) Avas that the party who pursued him did not intend to 
take his life Avhen they started, but to destroy a cask of Avhisky, said to 
be in his Avagon at the time. 

43. Question — What office did he hold at the time ho Avas killed ? 
AnsAver — He was a member of the Legislature. 

44. Question — Was it not the general impression, among the people, that 
he was killed on account of his prominence in political affiiirs? 

AnsAver — I think it AAas. 

45. Question — Do you not believe, then, that the killing of such men as 
Randolph and Martin, on account of their prominence in political affiiirs, 
tended to intimidate others from voting as they saAV fit ? 

AnsAver — It might have had that effect. 

46. Question — Have you or have you not heard it repeatedly stated, or 
heard persons repeatedly express a desire to get rid of the Republican 
leaders ? 

Answer — Of course the Democratic party Avould have rejoiced to have 
got rid of the Republican leaders ; but not by violence. 

47. Question — Was it generally knoAvn in this County, that Mr. Ran- 
dolph was a member of the State Senate? 

AnsAver — I don't suppose it Avas generally knoAvn. 

48. Question — Was Mr. Martin killed Avithin the incorporation ? 
AnsAver — No. 

49. Question — How far from tOAvn ? 
AnsAver — Probably four miles. 

50. Question — Do you knoAV Avhat time in the day he Avas killed ? 
AnsAA'er — In the afternoon the news reached me. The report that he 

was killed Avas not generally believed until the next day. I did not be- 
lieve it until the next day. 

51. Question — What efforts were put forth by the officials here, for the 
apprehension of the offenders ? 

Answer — None that I knoAV of 



THIRD CONGRESSIOlsrAL DISTRICT, S. C. 331 



Benjamin Williams, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

52. Question — Are you a citizen of this County ? 
Answer— Yes, sir. 

53. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Twelve or thirteen years. 

54. Question — Were you in the County prior to the last general elec- 
tion? 

Answer — Yes, sir. 

55. Question — Do you know of any outrages whereby any colored men 
were kept from voting, at the late general election ? 

Answer — I do not know of any. 

56. Question — Where were you on the day of election ? 
Answer — I was here, (Abbeville Court House.) 

57. Question — Did you or did you not see any intimidations ? 
Answer — No, sir ; I did not. 

58. Question — Did you or did you not have some difficulty yourself 
that day, or prior to that day, in relation to politics ? 

Answer — I did not. 

59. Question — What were you put in jail for? 
Answer — They never have told me yet. 

60. Question — How long did they keep you in jail ? 

Answer — To my recollection, I stayed down to Columbia jail three 
weeks. 

61. Question — Were you arrested here and taken to Columbia? 
Answer — I was. 

62. Question — Were you tried in Columbia, or brought here to be tried? 
Answer — I was brought here for trial. 

63. Question — Were you ever tried ? 
Answer — No, sir. 

64. Question — What were the charges made against you ? 
Answer — They have never told me. 

65. Question — How long were you in jail ? 
Answer — About five or six weeks. 

66. Question — Then, do you mean to state before this Committee, that 
you were in jail five or six weeks, and yet not know what you were in 
jail for ? 

Answer — Honestly, I do not know. 

67. Question — Have you not heard it stated what you Avere arrested 
for? 

Answer — I have heard nothing, but that I carried a letter down to 
Hodges' Depot. 

68. Question — Who were you arrested by ? 
Answer — Mr. Lemuel Guffin. 

69. Question — Who released you from jail here ? 

Answer — I gave a bond of five hundred dollars, to appear at the next 
Court. 

70. Question — Did you appear at the next Court ? 
Answer — Yes, sir. 

71. Question — Why were you not tried? 



332 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I do not know ; they never asked me anything. 

72. Question — Did not some person or persons come to the jail to see 
you, before you were let out ? 

Answer— No, sir ; I sent for Mr, Thomas Thompson, my former master, 
to know what I was taken up for ? 

73. Question — What did he tell you ? 

Answer — He asked what I wanted. I said : " I want to find out what 
I am arrested for." He asked me if I had done anything. I said: " No, 
sir." He said : " Did they tell you anything, when they took you to 
Columbia." I told him they did not. He asked me what Mr, Guffin 
said when he arrested me. I told him he never told me anything, but 
that he took me as a prisoner, and that I had to go to Columbia. He 
said he would see what I was arrested about. That was the last time I 
saw him. 

74. Question — Did not your former master ask you something about a 
letter ? 

Answer — No, sir ; he did not. 

75. Question — Did not your former master, that time, at the jail, tell 
you that if you would join the Democratic party that he could assist you 
in getting out of jail ? 

Answer — No, sir ; he did not. 

76. Question — Did you not tell some other white man, in this town, 
that if they let you out of jail you would join the Democratic party ? 

AnsAver — I think I did. 

77. Question — Who was that man that you think you told, that if he 
would get you out of jail you would join the Democratic party ? 

Answer — Dr. Joe Marshall ; he was on the street, and I called him and 
told him if he Vvould assist in getting me out of jail I would join the 
Democratic party. 

78. Question — Did he assist you ? 

Answer — I don't know ; but a few days afterwards I got out. 

79. Question — Don't you believe that the statement you made to him 
in relation to joining the Democratic party got you out as soon as you 
did ? 

Answer — I do believe it helped. 

80. Question — Did you or did you not join the Democratic party after 
you got out? 

Answer — In some weeks after. 

81. Question — Since you joined them, have you been treated kindly by 
them? 

Answer — No more than before, 

82. Question — Where were you the day that Mr. Martin was shot? 
Answer — In the town. 

83. Question — How far out of town was Mr. Martin shot ? 
Answer — A little over four miles, by the mill. 

84. Question — Did you go out there that day ? 
Answer — I did not. 

85. Question — Do you know any of the parties that shot him ? 
Answer — I do not. 

86. Question — Did you not hear a general rumor, stating who those 
parties were that shot him ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 333 



Answer — I did not. 

87. Question — Never hear it asserted in this County who they were ? 
Answer — No name at all. 

88. Question — Do you know of any efforts having been made to arrest 
the parties that shot him ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

89. Question — Where were you the day that Mr. B. F. Randolph was 
shot ? 

Answer — In this town. 

90. Question — Did you hear it the same day he was shot ? 

Answer — I Avas in the circus when I heard it ; some man spoke about 
it ; there was a crowd in there, and I heard some man say : " Kandolph 
is shot ;" but who it was that spoke I don't know. 

91. Question — Didn't you go to Hodges' Depot a few days prior to the 
day on which Mr. Randolph was shot? 

Answer — I did not. 

92. Question — Do you not know of any man or men being shot in this 
County ? 

Answer — I have seen a great many come here that were shot in the 
County. 

93. Question — What did they come here for ? 
Answer — To get protection. 

94. Question — Do you know of their receiving protection ? 
Answer — They would come, and the Agent of the Bureau did the best 

he could for them. 

95. Question — Have you seen any good that the Agent of the Bureau 
or any other officer of the peace did for them ? 

Answer — No ; except by talking. 

96. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What is your occvipation? 
Answer — A feather renovater. 

Question — Did you follow that business prior to the last general elec- 
tion? 

Answer — I did. 

98. Question — To what party do you belong now ? 
Answer — The Democratic party. 

99. Question — Did you join the Democratic party through fear? 
Answer — I joined it to get out of jail, to see my family. 

100. Question — Did you ever attend any of the Democratic Club 
meetings. 

Answer — I think I attended some three or four times ; they got after 
me for not coming oftener. 

101. Question — Who got after you? 
Answer — Several of the colored members. 

102. Question — Were you ever threatened ? 
Answer — No. 

108. Question — What ticket did you vote, at the late general election ? 
Answer — The Democratic ticket. 

104. Question — Were you acquainted with D. Wyatt Aiken ? 
Answer — I have seen him ; but don't recollect ever speaking to him. 

105. Question — Did you ever hear him make a speech? 
Answer — Yes, sir ; a good many. 



334 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



106. Question — Did you, or did you not, hear him in his speech direct 
the Democratic planters not to employ those who voted the Republican 
ticket ? 

Answer — If he did I never noticed it. 

107. Question — Do you or do you not believe, if you had voted the 
Radical ticket, at the late general election, you would have been dis- 
charged from your employment ? 

Answer — I do not think I would ; I Avould have had the same employ- 
ment I have now. 

108. Question — Why do you believe so ? 
Answer — Because they required our labor. 

109. Question — Who were you employed by, prior to and at the late 
general election? 

Answer — By seven or eight different persons. 

110. Question — Who was the last man you worked with, just before 
the election ? 

Answer — I can't tell. I worked by the day. 

111. Question — Where were you the day you were arrested? 
Answer — At INIr. Knox's door. 

112. Question — Who came to see you while you were in jail in Colum- 
bia? 

Answer — Mr. Alex. Haskell. 

113. Question — What is Mr. Haskell's profession ? 
Answer — He is a lawyer. 

114. Question — Please state the conversation he had with you ? 
Answer — He came there, and asked me what I was doing there. I told 

him I did not kuov/. He asked me had they told me anything. I said : 
" No, sir ; they have not." Then he asked me how long I was going to 
stay tliere. I told him I expected to stay until some one came to get me 
out. He then asked me if I didn't want to come home. I told him, 
" Yes, sir." He said: "I will go and see what you were put in jail for." 
He came to the jail the next day, and told the jailer to bring me up to 
the office. 

115. Question — What took place then ? 

Answer — The jailer and I Avent to two offices ; at the first office we 
visited nothing was said to me. The jailer spoke with a person about 
half an hour. At the second office Mr. Haskell was with us, and I went 
back that night with the jailer to jail, and, next morning, started for this 
place. 

116. Question — Who came with you ? 
Answer — JMr. Duncan, the jailer. 

117. Question — Did you converse with Mr. Duncan on your way here 
in relation to your arrest ? 

Answer — I had only a few words with him. 

118. Question — After you got back here were you put in jail again ? 
Answer — Yes, sir. 

119. Question — How long were you kept in jail after you got back 
here? 

Answer — About two weeks. 

120. Question — Well, you got out of jail with the understanding that 
you were to aid the Democratic party ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 335 



Answer — The first time I Avas iu jail, I promised if tliey would take 
me out, to join the Democratic part3\ 

121. Question — At the time the news arrived here that Mr. Randolph 
was killed, did the people generally rejoice ? 

Answer — Some did and some did not. 

122. Question — You said you had seen a great many come in that 
had been shot ? 

Answer — Yes. 

123. Question — Were those persons shot prior to and at the late gen- 
eral election? 

Answer — A great many were. 

124. Question — Did you see any of them shot? 

Answer — I have seen them come in here to the Bureau Agent for pro- 
tection, but I did not see them shot. 

125. Question — Do you know the reason why they were shot ? 
AnsAver — I don't know. 

126. Question — Were they white or colored ? 

Answer — I hardly ever saw a white man who was shot ; they were 
principally colored. 

127. Question — Were they prominent men iu the Republican party 
that were shot ? 

Answer — Some were and some were not. 

128. Question — Do you, or do you not, know whether there was a gen- 
eral system of intimidation at that time ? 

Answer — The time I belonged to the Radical party several of us were 
threatened to be killed. 

129. Question — Threatened to be killed for what? 

Answer — Because we were members of the Union League ; but we 
never interfered with any one. 

130. Question — Is it your impression that it was dangerous to have be- 
longed to the Union League ? 

Answer — I believe it was ; we had to steal our chances to hold the 
League, and we had to put our guards outside, and get inside the best 
way we could ? 

131. Question — Did you ever hear any body make threats towards Mr. 
Randolph or Mr. Martin, prior to their being killed ? 

Answer — I did not. 

132. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — About the time that Mr. Randolph 
was killed, did you or did you not go on an errand for any one from here 
to Cokesbury, or anywhere iu that vicinity ? 

Answer — No, sir ; honestly I did not. 

133. Question — Never carried a letter to any one ? 
Answer — No, sir, I didn't. 

134. Question — Do you know any one that did ? 
Answer — No, sir. 

On motion of Mr. Smalls, the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 
P.M. 



336 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



EVENING SESSION. 

The Committee met at 3 P. M. 

Robert Jones, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

135. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 

Answer — Born and raised here ; I have been living in the village for 
more than ten years. 

136. Question — What is your occupation? 
Answer — I am now clerking in the Sherifi^'s office. 

137. Question — Do you know of any outrages that were committed 
prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — Not personally, but I have heard of outrages outside of the 
town. 

138. Question — Were there no outrages committed in town, to your 
knowledge ? 

Answer — I do not remember any. 

139. Question — To what party do you belong? 
Answer — To the Democratic party ? 

140. Question — Are you acquainted with the by-laws and rules by 
which the Democratic party was governed prior to and at the late gen- 
eral election ? 

Answer — I never made myself acquainted with them. 

141. Question — Did they or did they not pass a resolution not to em- 
ploy any man who voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I think they did. 

142. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Don't you know it? 
Answer — Yes ; I am sure there was such a resolution passed. 

143. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — After the late general election, do 
you know of any persons turned oft' for voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I think I know of one, but I am not positive. 

144. Question — Where were you the day Randolph was killed ? 
Answer — I was at a circus here. 

145. Question — Do you know Avho the parties were that committed the 
murder ? 

Answer — I do not know, of my own knowledge. 

146. Question — Where were you the day Martin was killed? 
Answer — I was in the village. 

147. Question — Do you know who the parties were that killed Mr. 
Martin ? 

Answer — I do not know, of my own knowledge. 

148. Question — Were you elected Coroner, at the last election ? 
Answer — I was. 

149. Question — On what ticket were you elected ? 
Answer — On the Radical ticket. 

150. Question — What date was it that the election took place ? 
Answer— May 25th, 1869. 

151. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Do you or do you not know what was 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 337 



the general feeling, prior to and at the late general election, in relation to 
members of the Republican party ? 

Answer — The feeling was pretty intense. 

152. Question — Do you or do you not believe that it was dangerous, 
at that time, for any prominent Republican to have openly expressed his 
political opinions in the County? 

Answer — I think, outside of the village, it would have been. 

153. Question — Do you, or do you not, believe that Mr. Randolph and 
Mr. Martin's deaths were owing to the prominence they occuj)ied in the 
ranks of the Republican party ? 

Answer — In the case of Mr. Randolph, I think It did ; but I have my 
doubts in regard to Mr. Martin. 

154. Q,uestion — Do you, or do you not, believe that with such intense 
feeling against Republicans at that time, in this County, the citizens 
generally would have aided the officers of the peace, or would have acted 
in concert with any well-disposed citizen or citizens in arresting the per- 
petrators of murders or other outrages committed within the County ? 

Answer — Generally, I don't think they would have done it ; a great 
many men might have been willing, but they w^ere afraid. I mean, it 
would have been a difficult thing to have got ip a 2)os>i<^ comitatus. 

155. Question — Did you ever attend any of the public meetings of any 
political organizations. 

Answ^er — I attended all the political meetings on both sides — Republi- 
can and Democratic. 

156. Question — At those Republican meetings that you attended, were 
there any disturbances ? 

Answer — None whatever, 

157. Question — Were the Republican speakers in any way violent ? 
Answer — I don't think so ; I think they were very moderate. 

158. Question — Did any disturbances occur at the Democratic meet- 
ings? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

159. Question — At any of the Democratic meetings you attended did 
Col. Aiken speak ? 

Answer — He did not at any of those I attended here. 

160. Question — Do you recollect any of the speakers that spoke at the 
Democratic meetings you attended ? 

Answer — John Cunningham, Gen. McGowan, James S. Cothran, and 
Col. Haskell. 

161. Question — Were the speeches made at those meetings, tiiat you 
say you attended, temperate and conciliatory, or violent ? 

Answer — I don't remember of any violent harangues that I attended. 

162. Question — Did you, or did you not, hear the question of labor 
discussed ? 

Answer — ^Yes, I have. 

163. Question — Did you, or did you not, hear those speakers alluded 
to, advise the Democrats not to employ, or keep in their employ, persons 
who voted or affiliated with the Republican party ? 

Answer — Before the general election, in some instances, they were ad- 
vised to pursue that course ? 

164. Question — To the best of your knoAvledge and belief, Avas it not 

43 



338 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



enjoined upon the members of the Democratic Clubs not to employ Re- 
publicans ? 

Answer — I don't think it was, as a general thing ; some speakers did ad- 
vocate that course. 

165. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, did the 
colored people throughout the County have a fair opportunity of voting 
as they desired ? 

Answer — They did not. 

166. Question — Do you read the papers published at this place, (the 
" Banner " and " Press,") regularly ? 

Answer — I do. 

167. Question — Do you or do you not recollect reading a circular or 
communication published in one or both of these papers, signed by Mr. 
Wyatt Aiken, General McGowan, and others, declaring that no Radicals 
would be employed by or suffered to live upon the lands of members of 
the Democratic party ? 

Answer — I don't remember reading it. 

168. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You were here at the time Mr. Mar- 
tin was killed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

169. Question — Do you know of any efforts having been made for the 
arrest of the offenders by the people in the County ? 

Answer — I don't know of any. 

170. Question — Do you know of any efforts having been made by the 
citizens of the County to search out those who assassinated Mr. Ran- 
dolph ? 

Answer — I don't know of any. 

171. Question — Has there been in the County, to your knowledge, an 
organization called the Union League ? 

Answer — I think there was one here. 

172. Question — Why do you think so? 

Answer — I have heard it spoken of ; it was generally so rumored. 

173. Question — Do you have any knowledge of any other organization 
in the County, aside from the Democratic Club ? 

Answer— I have not heard of any. 

174. Question — Have you not heard of an organization called the Ku 
Klux Klan ? 

Answer — I have heard of the Ku Kluxes from general talk. 

175. Question — From what you have seen and heard, can you give us 
any idea of about the number of persons who have been killed in this 
County, for the last year and a-half or two years ? 

Answer — I could count up about twenty; there were about twenty 
violent deaths, embracing the period or about the time that JNIr. Ran- 
dolph and Mr. Martin were killed. 

176. Question — To your knowledge, was it the general opinion that 
these persons were killed on account of their political opinions ? 

Answer — I should say that it was, in a majority of cases. 

177. Question — Do you remembei', or can you tell us about how many 
of those persons were white, or do you know of any besides Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — I know no white, except Mr. Martin. 



THIRD CONGKESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 339 



178. Question — Was there not, in this County, a kind of general system 
established to prevent persons from voting as they desired ? 

Answer — I don't know that there was any system about it. 

179. Question — Were there not strenuous efforts put forth in that 
direction ? 

Answer — I think there was. 

180. Question — Did not those efforts, according to the knowledge you 
have of the matter, prove effectual ? 

Answer — I judge from the result of the general election, that those 
efforts were effectual. 

Richard Johnson, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

181. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Born and bred in this County. 

182. Question — What is your occupation? 
Answer — Laborer. 

183. Question — Do you know of any means of intimidation used, prior 
to and at the late general election, whereby any person or persons were 
prevented from voting ? 

Answer — Yes. 

184. Question — Please state what you know in relation to the same ? 
Answer — The night before the election, the Ku Klux came through 

our plantation, and said if any of the colored people weut to the polls 
the next day to vote, that they would kill the last one of them. I told 
them that I would go, if they killed me. They said if I went they 
would put me in liandolpli's and Martin's state. 

185. Question — Did you or did you not know any of those men ? 
Answer — No. 

186. Question — Were they disguised? 

Answer — Yes ; they had on false faces, and that was the reason I didn't 
know them. 

187. Question — Do you know of any other intimidations ? 
Answer — No, sir. 

188. Question — Where were you the day Mr. Randolph was killed? 
Answer — Twelve miles from here. 

189. Question — Do you know anything of the killing of Mr. Ran- 
dolph ? 

Answer — No. 

190. Question — Do you know anything of the killing of Mr. Martin ? 
Answer — No. 

191. Question — Do you know who the parties were that killed him ? 
Answer — No. 

192. Question — How many men were in that band of Ku Klux? 
Answer — Fifty-two. 

193. Question — Did you count them ? 
Answer — Yes ; and several others did. 

194. Question — Were they armed? 

Answer — I did not see any arms, but after they went off* there waa 
shooting. 

195. Question— Did you vote at the election ? 



340 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes. 

196. Question— Where ? 
Answer — At Calhoun Mills. 

197. Question — How far is Calhoun Mills from the court house ? 
Answer — Twelve miles. 

198. Question — Did many colored people vote there? 
Answer — A good many went to vote, but did not vote. 

199. Question — For what reason didn't they vote? 

Answer — They had a high step to go up to the voting place ; it was a 
very narrow place, and the Democrats had liquor at the box up stairs, 
and were drinking and going on in such a manner that the colored peo- 
jile were afraid to go up. 

200. Question — You went up and voted ? 
Answer — Yes ; but soon in the morning. 

201. Question — Do you know the names of the Managers at that box? 
Answer — Mr. William Taggart, William Mars, and I don't remember 

the other one. 

202. Q.uestion— Do you know of any intimidations used at other polls ? 
Answer — I don't, of my own knowledge. 

H. S. Cason, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

203. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

204. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — About thirty-five years. 

205. Question — What is your occupation? 
Answer — I am Sheriff. 

206. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed in the County, 
prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — I do not know ; I know that Mr. Martin and Mr. Randolph 
were murdered, from the best of evidence except sight. At the time Mr. 
Martin was murdered I lived within a mile and a quarter of the place where 
it happened. I kept my office here. On the morning after he (Mr. Martin) 
was murdered, I Avas walking from home here, when I met an acquaint- 
ance, (Mr. Prince,) who was going after the Doctor. He informed me 
that Mr. Martin had been killed. I remarked that it certainly could not 
be so. When I got here I found the Clerk of the Court and others were 
summoned to attend the Coroner's jury on this case. 

207. Question — After finding out that Mr. Martin had been murdered, 
what steps were taken to detect and apprehend the murderers. 

Answer — I don't know that any steps were taken at all. No warrant 
was lodged in my hands by any party or parties. 

208. Question — Do you or do you not know what conclusion the inquest 
came to. 

Answer — I don't remember that I ever heard their report. 

209. Question — In relation to the death of Mr. Randolph, do you know 
anything ? 

Answer — I do not. 

210. Question — Do you know of any other murders committed in the 
County prior to the late general election ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C, 341 



Answer — I do not. 

211. Question — Were you a member of any political organization 
prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — I think my name was on the list of members of the Demo- 
cratic Club. 

212. Question — Did you authorize it to be placed there ? 

Answer — ^I am not certain ; I have no doubt it was put there, as I said 
I had no objections to its being placed there. 

213. Question — Did you ever attend any of their meetings? 
Answer — I never did. 

214. Question — No public meetings ? 

Answer — I was at a meeting when Mr. Wright spoke ; I wanted to hear 
a smart colored man speak, and Mr. Wright made a real speech. 

215. Question — When were you elected Sheriff? when did your term 
commence? 

Answer — I think the 3d and 4tli of June, 1868, I was elected. 

216. Question — On what ticket were you elected ? 

Answer — I didn't run on any particular ticket. We didn't run on tho 
Democratic ticket ; it was a general consent ticket ; we had friends on 
both sides. 

217. Question — Were you here on the day of the last general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

218. Question — Was it quiet on that day ? 
Answer — Yes. 

219. Question — Do you know of any means used to intimidate coloi-ed 
people from voting i' 

Answer— I do not. 

220. Question — Do you know of any threats being made in relation to 
persons voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I do not. 

221. Question — Do you or do you not know of any general talk among 
the members of the Democratic Clubs throughout the County, that if the 
colored people voted the Radical ticket they would not be employed by 
them, or allowed to live on their places? 

Answer — I never did hear of it, as a general thing, but I have heard it 
spoken of. 

222. Question — Do you or do you not believe that the colored people 
throughout the County had a fair chance of voting at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — As far as I know they had. 

223. Question — Do the great body of the colored people belong to the 
Democratic or Republican party ? 

Answer — The majority belong to the Rejiublican party, I think. 

224. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What length of time Avas it after 
Martin was killed you heard of his death ? 

Answer — I heard it the morning after, about 8 o'clock. 

225. Question — As Sheriff of this County, did you use any effort to 
ferret out the perpetrators of this murder ? 

Answer — Having no warrant, I made it my business to make all dili- 
gent inquiries relating to his death. 



342 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



226. Question — After making those diligent inquiries, did you find 
out anything in relation to the murder. 

Answer — Nothing at all that would guarantee an arrest. 

227. Question — Did you take any steps to arrest the parties that mur- 
dered Mr. Randolph ? 

AnsAver — I did not. 

228. Question — Was he not murdered in this County ? 

Answer — Yes ; I made the same inquiry in the case as I did in Mar- 
tin's case. 

229. Question — What was the general character of Mr. Martin ? 
Answer — I think he was a moral man, and knew nothing against him. 

His general character, as far as I know, was good. 

230. Question (by Mr. Smalls j — Did you or did you not know or hear 
of any armed band of men in this County, under the name of Ku Klux ? 

Answer — I do not know of any, but have heard of them. 

231. Question — Do you or do you not believe, from general rumor, 
that there was such a band in this County ? 

Answer — I do not. 

232. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Is it not your impression that Mar- 
tin and Randolph were killed in consequence of their prominence in po- 
litical affairs? 

Answer — In regard to Randolph, it might have been the case, but I 
don't knoAV it ; but, in all probability, it might have been, he being a col- 
ored man ; but I don't believe Martin was. 

233. Question — What leads you to believe that Martin was not killed 
on that account? 

Answer — Because he was liked by men of all politics here. He was 
one of the best men in this community ? 

234. Question (by Mr. Wright) — What has been the general disposi- 
tion of the colored people here towards the white ? 

Answer — Been kindly ; I think they are the most governable people 
in the world, providing they have justice done them. 

235. Question — Do you think, from what yon have seen and known, 
that they have had justice done them in this County? 

Answer — I think so ; but there are exceptions. 

236. Question — Have there not been a great many j)ersons shot in this 
County just before the late general election? 

Answer — I do not know. 

237. Question — How many warrants of arrest have been lodged with 
you for the apprehension of persons for murder, or assault, with intent to 
kill, within the last year and a half or two years? 

Answer — I cannot tell without consulting my records ? 

238. Question — You have stated that you heard there were warrants 
out for the apprehension of the supposed persons that assassinated Mr. 
Randolph ? 

Answer — Yes ; I have heard that parties Avere arrested ; I know that 
Col. Aiken and others were arrested, and I heard it was for that. 

239. Question — When offences are committed in the County, is it not 
the general practice for the warrant of arrest to be placed in your hands 
as Sheriff? 

Answer — It is not. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 343 



240. Question — Did you hear it rumored why Mr. Martin was killed ? 
Answer — I did not, 

Calio Ward, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

241. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — All my life. 

242. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Blacksmith. 

243. Question — Do you know of any intimidation or threats whereby 
any person or persons were kept from voting as they felt disposed, prior 
to and at the late general election ? 

Answer— I do. 

244. Question — Now, state what you know ? 

Answer — Before the election I had to leave the settlement I was living 
at. 

245. Question — Where was that ? 
Answer — Within a mile of Lowndesville. 

246. Question— Why did you have to leave there ? 

Answer — Because I would not become a Democrat, and vote with that 
party. 

247. Question — What was said to you ? 

Answei' — They said if I didn't turn to that party I would be killed, 
(because I Avas one of the leaders,) and if I would turn a good many 
others would follow me. 

248. Question — By whom were these threats made ? 

Answer — James Lomax ; he sent for me to come to see him, and said 
he told me, as a friend, if I didn't turn I would go up. 

249. Question — From that you left that settlement ? 

Answer — I did not leave just then, but I saw some strange horse tracks 
near my door one morning, and after that I was afraid to sleep in my 
house, and one night, just about dark, I saw a man riding up to my house, 
and the dogs commenced barking, and I halted, and the man asked my 
children where I was ; the children asked him wdio he was, that they 
might tell me Avho had been there. He said : " Never mind, he knows 
me, and he must stay here to-morrow, and I will be here to see 
him." After he left, the children told me the man had inquired for me ; 
I became so frightened I left, and stayed out all night. 

250. Question — Did he return the next day ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I was not there ; the children told me he had been 
there ; they said that there were two, but only one came up in the yard. 

251. Question — Did you find out who that man was? 
Answer — Yes. 

252. Question — What was his name ? 

Answer — Thomas Young, and the other was Dinsmore Young ; they 
are not brothers, but distant relatives. A night or two after that a man 
came walking up to my house, whom I saw ; it was about dusk, but he 
didn't see me ; he was owing me some money ; I got my friend to ask 
him for the money ; he said he had lost many a night's sleep in trying to 
get a chance to kill me. A day or two after that I went myself and saw 
him. 



344 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



253. Question — What did he say to you? 

Answer — I went to the gate and raised my hat, and he beckoned me 
to leave. I never spoke a word. 

254. Question — Did you leave ? 
Answ^er — Yes. 

255. Question — Did he follow you ? 

Answer — Yes ; pursued me on his horse, and overtook me before I got 
to Lowudesville. 

256. Question — What did he say to you when he overtook you ? 
Answer — He said : " Calio, if you ever make tracks on my land I 

will kill you, if my pistol will make fire, and it has never failed yet." I 
attempted to speak, and he said : " Not a word, I will kill you if you 
open your mouth ;" and he rode across the road with a club in his hand. 
He rode on, and I said nothing. 

257. Question — Do you or do you not know of any other threats or 
intimidations ? 

Answer — I don't know, but have heard. 

258. Question — Were or wei-e not those men who visited your house 
that night about dusk disguised ? 

Answer — They were not. 

259. Question — Did you vote at the election ? 
Answer — No. 

260. Question — Why didn't you vote ? 
Answer — I was afraid I would be killed. 

261. Question — Do you know anything about au armed band of men 
traveling around the County at night disguised ? 

Answer — Yes. 

262. Question — Did you ever see them ? 

Answer — Yes, I saw them once, and I knew the Captain of them ? 

263. Question— Where was it you saAV them ? 
Answer — Near LoAvndesville. 

264. Question — Did they see you ? 
Answer — No. 

265. Question — What was the name of their Captain ? 
Answer — Thompson Oliver. 

366. Question — Hoav did you know Oliver was the Captain ? 
Answer — I heard his voice and knew the horse he rode ; I heard the 
other men call him Captain Oliver. 

267. Question — Was this horse owned by him before the time you saw 
him with that band ? 

Answer — It was. 

268. Question — Can you describe the horse's color and size ? 
Answer — He was a medium size horse, and dark and white spots all 

over him. 

269. Question — Do you know anything about the men that killed Mr. 
Martin ? 

Answer — I know only from hearsay. 

270. Question — Did you hear general rumor state Avho these men 
were ? 

Answer — Yes. 

271. Question — Whom does general rumor state they were? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 345 



Answer — Joe Davis, James Brownlee and William Talbert. 

272. Question — Did you or did you not know the man that killed Mr. 
B. F. Randolph ? 

Answer — Only that I heard of two. 

273. Question — Did general rumor state who those men were ? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

274. Question — What were their names ? 

Answer — A man named William Talbert, and a man named Logan, I 
can't remember his given name. 

275. Question — Do you or do you not know whether any of these 
parties, which killed Mr. Martin or Mr. Randolph, are in this County 
now ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

276. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — At what time of the year did those 
parties come to your house at Lowndesville ? 

Answer — In August, 1868. 

277. Question — What time was it that you saw that armed band of 
men, of whom you recognized the Captain ? 

Answer — About the middle of August. 

278. Question — Did you recognize any of the band besides the Cap- 
tain? 

Answer — Yes, sir. 

279. Question — Give us the names ? 

Answer — Calvin Pressley, Wooster Pressley, Pierce Oliver, and Wash- 
ington Black. 

280. Question — How many were there altogether ? 
Answer — Twen ty . 

281. Question — In what way were they disguised ? 

Answer — They had on white, and white over their horses, and they 
moaned and groaned, and went on. 

282. Question — Could you see their faces ? 
Answer — Yes. 

283. Question — Could they see you ? 
Answer — No ; I hid in the corner of the fence. 

284. Question — Did they stop where you were hid ? 
Answer — No ; the moon was shining, and I saw them. 

285. Question — Where did they go to ? 

Answer — To Lowndesville, and then to James Latimer's. 

On motion, at 7:40 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow 
morning, at 9 o'clock. 



44 



346 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, June 23, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. A quorum 
being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

Matthew McDonald, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

286. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes, born and raised here. 

287. Question — In what part of the County do you reside ? 
Answer — Here (Abbeville C. H.). 

288. Question — Were you here prior to and on the day of the late 
general election ? 

Answer — Yes ; I have been living here since 1850. 

289. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed, or means of 
intimidation used, in this County, to prevent persons from voting as they 
desired ? 

Answer — I do not know of any means of intimidation used. 

290. Question — Do you know of any murders that have been com- 
mitted in this County ? 

Answer — I have heard of the alleged murders. 

291. Question — Will you please state what alleged murders you 
heard of? 

Answer — I allude to the killing of Mr. Randolph and Mr. James 
Martin. 

292. Question — Are those the only two murders you are cognizant of? 

Answer — Those are the only two I have heard sufficiently of to au- 
thorize me to answer the question. I am satisfied Mr. Randolph and Mr. 
Martin were killed ; I can't say that much of any others in the County, 

293. Question — How far from town was Mr. Martin killed ? 
Answer — At or near the four-mile post, on the road leading from 

Abbeville to Calhoun Mills. 

294. Question — Do you know on what day of the week or month he 
was killed? 

Answer — I can't give the day of the month without reference to an 
almanac ; I remember distinctly, it was on the evening of a sale day in 
October that it was said to have been done ; I heard it the next morning. 

295. Question — Was Mr. Martin regarded in this County as a promi- 
nent politician ? 

Answer — No, sir ; I can't say that. He was regarded as a prominent 
man of the Republican party ; he Avas one of their leading men in the 
County, and one of their candidates for office and a Representative. 

296. Question — What was his general character ? 

Answer — I had known him for many years, and regarded him always 
as a quiet, unobtrusive citizen. 

297. Question — Was he so regarded generally ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 347 



Answer — I think so ; I never heard any one say to the contrary. 

298. Question — What was the general impression concerning his death ? 
Answer — The majority of the people regretted the death of Mr. Martin, 

and especially the manner in which it was accomplished. 

299. Question — Do you or do you not believe that he was killed on 
account of his prominence in the Republican party ? 

Answer — I have not any doubt but that his position in the party 
attracted attention to him. 

300. Question — Are you a public officer here ? 

Answer — Yes, Clerk of the Court, and have been for nearly nineteen 
years. 

301. Question — Did you go out to the place where Mr. Martin was 
killed ? 

Answer — I passed the place the next morning ; it was on the direct road 
to his residence. As I passed, I stopped and examined the situation, and 
saw marks upon the ground, where persons had trodden about, also 
blood. 

302. Question — Were you alone ? 

Answer — No, sir ; I had a Magistrate with me. 

303. Question — What was his name ? 
Answer — James A. McCord. 

304. Question — You proceeded Avith Mr. McCord to the residence of 
Mr. Martin, the deceased, where his body lay ? 

Answer — Yes. 

305. Question — Did Mr. McCord, as a Magistrate, take any steps to 
detect and apprehend the murderers? 

Answer— No, sir ; beibre we reached the residence of the deceased we 
learned that another Magistrate, Mr. James McCaslan, had organized a 
Court of inquest, which Ave found examining the case when we reached 
the residence of the deceased. 

306. Question — Were there any witnesses examined by the Coroner's 
Court ? 

Answer — Yes, several. 

307. Question — What were the conclusions arrived at by the jury of 
inquest ? 

Answer — I think they came to the conclusion that he came to his 
death at the hands of persons unknown to the jury. 

308. Question — To the best of your knoAvledge and belief, after that 
verdict was rendered, Avere any steps taken, by the proper officers in this 
County, to ferret out the perpetrators of the deed ? 

Answer — There Avas a universal inquiry in the minds of persons and 
officers as to Avho committed the deed ; l)ut I do not know that the names 
of the perpetrators Avere ever ascertained, or any process issued by any 
officer of the County. 

309. Question — Was there a collection of houses near Avhere Mr. 
Martin Avas killed ? 

AnsAver — No, sir ; it was near a place Ave commonly called The Cabins ; 
but it is no village or hamlet now, nothing except one or two neighbors 
living close. 

310. Question — Did any one bring the report of his death into town, 
on the day it took place ? 



548 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Not that I know ; I heard the rumor of his death the next 
morning. I did not credit the report myself when I first heard it, 

311. Question — Do you know on what day Mr. Randolph was killed? 
Answer — I do not. I cannot say. It was after the death of Mr. Martin, 

and before the election in November, and on the day that there was a 
circus in Abbeville. He and Judge Hoge were both here and made 
speeches ; but I do not remember whether Mr. Randolph remained one 
or two days after. Mr. Hoge left on the same day he spoke. 

312. Question — Do you, or do you not believe, that Mr. Randolph was 
looked upon as a very prominent man in the Republican party ? 

Answer — I think he was. 

313. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, was it not on 
account of the prominent position he occupied in the Republican party 
that he was killed ? 

Answer — That was the cause, I think, that attracted attention to him 
and led to his death. 

314. Question — To your knowledge, were any steps taken by the 
proper officers in this County to arrest his murderers ? 

Answer — I do not know of any steps being taken to arrest the perpe- 
trators of the deed by any County officers. 

315. Question — Are you a member of any political organization ? 
Answer — None. I am no politician, further than reading the papers. 

316. Question — Did you vote at the last general election? 
Answer — I did. 

317. Question — What ticket did you vote? 
Answer — The Democratic ticket. 

818. Question — Although no politician, you affiliated with the Demo- 
cratic party ? 

Answer — My feelings and sentiments are that way. 

319. Question — Have you ever heard the question of labor discussed? 
Answer — No, sir, I can't say I have ; it may have been done in some 

of the Democratic Clubs, but I never belonged to or was in one in my 
life. 

320. Question — Are you a subscriber of the Abbeville Press or Ban- 
ner ? 

Answer — Neither. I am an advertiser of official special notices, and 
they send me the papers. 

321. Question — Do you read those papers regularly? 

Answer — I can't say I do ; I look enough to see if my notices are cor- 
rectly advertised, and it is rarely I look at anything more. 

322. Question — Do you or do you not recollect reading in either of 
those papers a circular, signed by Col. D. Wyatt Aiken and others, de- 
claring that no colored man who voted the Radical ticket would be em- 
ployed by members of the Democratic party ? 

Answer — I never saw or read it ? 

323. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, was it not a 
general declaration, among the members of the Democratic party, prior 
to the late general election, that any person who voted the Radical ticket 
should not be employed by them ? 

Answer — I do not believe there were any such declarations, generally ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 349 



324. Question— Was there not, prior to the election, an intense feeling 
against Republicans in this County ? 

Answer — I saw no signs leading me to believe that it was any more 
than the usual opposition of one party to another. 

325. Question — Do you or do you not conscientiously believe that it 
was unsafe, throughout this County, for any Republican of prominence 
to have openly expressed his political opinions, prior to the late general 
election ? 

Answer — I do not think it would have been dangerous for one of our 
own residents, but for a man traveling about as a public lecturer on that 
subject, I do not think he would have been perfectly safe. 

T. M. Christian, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

326. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — I am, 

327. Question — In what part of the County do you reside? 
Answer — In the village, since 1847. 

328. Question — Do you hold any public office here ? 
Answer — No. 

329. Question — What is your occupation ? 

Answer — A carriage maker by trade ; am a grocer now. 

330. Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations or threats 
by one party against the other '? 

Answer — I do not. I was here at the time of the election, and all was 
quiet. 

331. Question — To what party do you belong? 

Answer — I did join the Democratic Club before the election ; but for 
two or three meetings before the election I did not attend. 

332. Question — Were you at the meeting of the Club when they passed 
labor resolutions not to employ any colored men that voted the Republi- 
can ticket? 

Answer — I was not at the meeting, but I heard they did pass such 
resolutions. 

333. Question — After the general election, do you know of any parties 
that were turned off for voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I cannot say that I do. I heard Judge Wardlaw say, one 
night, while I was out on guard with him and Wm. Henry Parker, that 
they had colored Republicans employed, and that they were going to 
keep them, (as they liked them better than other hands,) although it was 
contrary to the rules of the Democratic Club. 

334. Question — ^You stated you were out on guard ; what were you 
guarding ? 

Answer — We were guarding the town about the times fires occurred 
here. 

335. Question — Where were you the day Mr. Martin was killed ? 
Answer — Here in the village. 

336. Question — Did you witness anything unusual that day ? 
Answer — There seemed to be some little excitement here that day 

about him having a barrel of whisky. 

337. Question — Why should that cause an excitement ? 



350 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — He had a barrel of whisky here, (I can't say it was his ;) 
there was talk about it. 

338. Question — Is there anything extraordinary in a man getting a 
barrel of whisky ? 

Answer — No. 

339. Question — Was there, or was there not, an intense feeling against 
Republicans, in this County, prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — I think there was. 

340. Question — Do you, or do you not believe, that it was dangerous 
for any prominent Republican to have openly expressed his political 
opinions throughout the County at that time ? 

Answer — As far as this town is concerned, I don't think that there 
would have ])een any danger ? 

341. Question — What about other portions of the County? 
Answer — I think it would have been dangerous ? 

342. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, were there 
not various means used in this County to coerce the colored people, and 
prevent them from voting tlie Republican ticket ? 

Answer — From general rumor, I believe there was intimidation, ex- 
citement and shooting. 

343. Question — From wdiat general rumor said, do you, or do you not 
believe, that many of the colored people were kept from voting, at the 
late general election ? 

Answer — Yes ; I suppose the vote would have been larger, at some of 
the boxes. 

344. Question — Have you ever attended any of the public political 
meetings in this County? 

Answer — Only here in this town. 

345. Question — Do you recollect any of the names of the speakers who 
addressed Republican political meetings ? 

Answer — I heard Mr. Wright speak. 

346. Question — Any other Republican ? 
Answer — Mr. Randolph. 

347. Question — What was the character of those speeches ? were they 
mild and temperate, or were they violent ? 

Answer — Mr. Randolph's speech, I thought, was very mild, and he 
gave very good advice. 

348. Question — You said you heard Mr. Wright's speech, was it vio- 
lent or mild ? 

Answer — No ; I think not. Many of his own party were not as well 
pleased with his speech as many of the Democrats were — one man left, 
and went home. 

349. Question — The man that left, and went home, was he a member of 
the Republican or Democratic party ? 

Answer — I don't know ; he was a colored man. 

350. Question — Do you recollect the names of any of the Democratic 
speakers you listened to ? 

Answer — Gen. McGowan, Major Armistead Burt, and Mr. Lee, editor 
of the paper. 

351. Question — Do you recollect hearing Col. Aiken speak ? 
Answer — I never heard him. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 351 



352. Question — Did you hear the question of labor discussed by Maj. 
Burt or Gen. McGowan during their speeches ? 

Answer — I do not recollect. 

35o. Question — Did they, or did they not, express bitter and harsh 
sentiments against members of the Radical party ? 

A nswer — They spoke rather hard of the party — such as " scalawags " 
and "carpet-baggers" — and told the colored people they were their best 
friends, and to vote with them. 

354. Question — Do you, or do you not, recollect that Maj. Burt, in his 
speech, denounced the " carpet-baggers " and " scalawags," as he 
termed them, as dogs, and the like, and that they ought to be treated as 
dogs ? 

Answer — I don't recollect that, in the speech I heard ; he made several 
speeches. I know they abused them, and put them down as low as lan- 
guage could place them. 

355. Question — Do you, or do you not, recollect hearing any of those 
Democratic speakers you mentioned say that these " scalawags " or " car- 
pet-baggers " should be exterminated or expatriated ? 

Answer — I don't recollect hearing that ; in fact, I was not in meetings 
more than three or four times. 

356. Question — Did you, or did you not, hear those speakers denounce 
the present State Government as a bogus government, which the white 
people of the State would not recognize, and that they would resist its 
odious law^s ? 

Answer — I don't say that they did or did not ; I don't recollect. 

357. Question — Did you, or did you not, hear them declare, and not 
only them, but others in this County, that they would not contribute, by 
the payment of taxes or any other means, to the support of the Radical 
State Government ? 

Answer — I don't think I have heard any speeches made about it. I 
have heard men speaking generally about taxes. 

W. L. McCord, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

358. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised within four miles of this place. 

359. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — A planter. 

360. Question — Do you employ laborers on your place ? 
Answer — Yes, before and since freedom. 

361. Question — Have you employed any during the last year? 
Answer — Two. 

362. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — I did. 

363. Question— Where ? 
Answer — At this place. 

361. Question — Do you belong to any political organization ? 
Answer — None at all. 

365. Question — With what party do you affiliate ? 
Answer — I voted the Democratic ticket. 



352 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



366. Question — Were you living at the place where you now reside at 
the time Mr. Martin was killed ? 

Answer — I lived in the town at the time he was killed. 

367. Question — Did you know any reason why he was killed ? 
Answer — No. 

368. Question — What were the alleged reasons why he was killed ? 
Answer — It Avas thought he Avas killed on account of belonging to the 

Radical party. 

369. Question — Would you have felt safe to have gone out and pro- 
claimed Radical doctrine, or speak for the Radical party, prior to the 
general election ? 

Answer — I Avould not have felt safe. 

370. Question — Did there not appear to be a disposition manifested to 
get rid of all the leading Radicals ? 

Answer — I think that there were men around through the County who 
so intended, but m this town, don't think it was. 

371. Question — Have you known of any act of violence Avhich the 
Republican party in this County have used against the Democratic 
party ? 

Answer — I don't know of any murders having been committed on 
their part. 

372. Question — Were you acquainted with Mr, Randolph, who was 
murdered ? 

Answer — I have seen him. 

373. Question— Where ? 

Answer — At Cokesbury, when speaking, and here also. 

374. Question — What was the character of his speeches ? 

Answer — He advised good to all ; he advised the freedmen to work 
and get along right and agi'eeable. 

375. Question — Did you ever attend speeches on the other side ? 
Answer — No. 

376. Question — Was it or was it not prevalent among the people that 
those who voted the Radical ticket would not be employed by the Dem- 
ocrats ? 

Answer — I heard that from the Democratic Clubs. 

377. Question — To your knoAvledge and belief, did not such a course 
as they pursued in relation to that deter many from voting as they 
desired ? 

Answer — It might have done it, but not to my knowledge. 

H. W. LaAVSon, SAVorn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

378. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
AnsAver — I am. 

379. Question — Hoav long have you been a resident ? 
AnsAA'er — About tAventy-five years. 

380. Question — What is your occupation ? 

AnsAver — Tinsmith by trade, and have been a Postmaster, but haA'e 
been superseded, but at present acting in that capacity. 

381. Question — Were you in the County during the months of June, 
July, August, September, October and November of last year ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 353 



Answer — No ; I was absent from the State from the 18th of June to 
about the 27th of July. 

382. Question — After your return did you remain here until the day 
of the late general election ? 

Answer — I think I did ; I don't remember of being absent. 

383. Question — Were you a member of any political organization in 
this County ? 

Answer — None at all. 

384. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

385. Question —Do you know of any outrages or means of intimida- 
tion used in this County to prevent persons from voting as they desired 
at the late general election ? 

Answer — No. 

386. Question — Do you know of any murders committed in this County, 
prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — I knoAV of murders from general rumor ? 

387. Question — Do you know the names of any of the parties who 
have been murdered in this County ? 

Answer — Mr. James Martin, B. F. Randoljih, and Jacob Jones. 

388. Question — From the best of your knowledge and belief, were not 
Mr. Martin and Mr. Randolph regarded as prominent men in the ranks 
of the Republican party ? 

Answer — Yes. 

389. Question — From the best of your knowledge and belief, were not 
the prominent positions they occupied in the Republican party the cause 
of their death ? 

Answer — Yes, that is my belief. 

390. Question — Were you acquainted with Mr. Martin before his 
death '( 

Answer — Yes. 

391. Question — Do you, or do you not, know what kind of a char- 
acter he sustained in the community ? 

Answer — Mr. Martin was known as a hard working, persevering man. 
As far as I know, his character was good. 

392. Question — Were you in tOAvn the day of his death ? 
Answer — Yes, he was in my store that day. 

393. Question — How far from town was he killed ? 
Answer — It was about four miles. 

394. Question — Have you ever ascertained who committed the mur- 
der? 

Answer — No ; it was never made known. 

395. Question — Were you on the Coroner's inquest ? 

Answer — No ; I was summoned, but didn't get the notice until after 
the inquest was over. 

396. Question — Do you, or do you not, know of any steps taken by 
the proper officers of the law in this County to find out and bring to jus- 
tice the perpetrators of the deed ? 

Answer — I do not. 

897. Question — Was there, or was there not, a bitter feeling in this 

45 



354 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



County against members of the Republican party prior to the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

898. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, was it not 
dangerous for any Republican to have openly expressed his political 
views, throughout this County, prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — Some part of the County was counted bad ; it was safe in 
this town, but outside of it I believe it was unsafe. 

399. Question — Did you ever attend any of the political meetings of 
any par ty ? 

Answer — I never attended any. 

400. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You stated that the names of the 
murderers of Mr. Martin were never made known. Now, why were the 
names of the murderers not made known ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

401. Question — Please state why you said the names had not been 
made known ? 

Answer — I saw it in the Columbia Phoenix, that the murderers of B. 
F. Randolph and James Martin were known. 

402. Question — Do you take the Phoenix ? 
Answer — Yes. 

403. Question — Do you know any of the facts connected witli the 
murder of Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — I do not. 

404. Question — Did you notice any persons lurking about your store, 
the day Mr. Martin was killed ? 

Answer — There were about twenty persons, colored and white, in my 
store that day. 

405. Question — Were they in your store prior to Mr. Martin's coming 
in? 

Answer — Yes ; the store was full. 

406. Question — Do you know whether there were any parties with Mr. 
Martin from his farm ? 

Answer — Not that I remember. 

407. Question — When Mr. Martin started from your store, did he go 
on horseback or in a wagon ? 

Answer — He started on foot. 

408. Question — Did he not have a horse and wagon there ? 
Answer — Not that I know. 

409. Question — Did he purchase anything that day ? 
Answer — I don't remember. 

410. Question — Do you know whether he went directly home from 
your store, or stopped in town ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

411. Question — About what time in the day did he leave your store? 
Answer- -Between 11 and 2 o'clock. 

412. Question — What length of time Avas it after he left your store 
before you heard of his death ? 

Answer — I did not hear of it until the next day about 11 o'clock. 

413. Question — In what length of time after he left your store was he 
killed ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. oOO 



Answer — They say it was about 4 o'clock P. M. 

On motion of Mr. Smalls, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to 
meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 8 P. M. 

W. R. Morrow, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

414. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

415. Question — How long have you lived in the County? 
Answer — Forty-five years. 

416. Question — Do you live within the incorporation? 

Answer — No ; thirteen miles from here, near Diamond Hill post- 
office, near Centreville. 

417. Question — Did you attend the late general election at that 
place ? 

Answer — The election was held at Diamond Hill, at Trebles' box. I 
attended the election there. 

418. Question — Who were the Managers? 

Answer — W. L. Prince, Clayton Jones, and James A. Brownlee ; they 
were all thi-ee white men. 

419. Question — Do you know whether they were the regular ap- 
pointees 'i 

Answer — That is v.hat I understood. 

420. Question — Were you at the polls all day, or nearly all day ? 
Answer — Yes. 

421. Question — Do you know about how many votes were cast that 
day? 

Answer — I think, about one hundred and ninety-six. 

422. Question — Do you know how many colored persons voted ? 
Answer — About eight. 

4i3. Question — What ticket did they vote ? 
Answer — Democratic ticket. 

424. Question — Were there any Republican tickets at the polls? 
Answer — There were none there, and had there been, a good many 

would have been given in. There was a good crowd of colored persons 
there at one time, and there being no tickets they didn't vote. 

425. Question — What was the alleged cause of there being no Repub- 
lican tickets there ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

426. Question — Were there any threats used about the polls that day? 
Answer — None that I heai'd. I was an acting State Constable. I saw 

no riot at all. They got to shooting at a mark, but there were no black 
ones there then ; Bailey Milford Avent and talked to the black ones, and 
they all went off. 



356 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



427. Question — Is Bailey Milford a colored man ? 
Answer — No ; a white man. 

428. Question — About how many persons were there shooting ? 
Answer — About fifteen. 

429. Question — Had it not been previously stated, that any person who 
undertook to take Republican tickets to the polls that day would be 
assassinated. 

Answer — Not that I heard. 

430. Question — With what party do you affiliate ? 
Answei' — Democrat. 

431. Question — Do you belong to a Club ? 
Answer — I did. 

432. Question — Attend the meetings regularly ? 

Answer — I couldn't lose the time to do it ; went about every two or 
three weeks. 

433. Question — Was there a Union League near your place, or within 
that vicinity ? 

Answer — Yes. 

434. Question — Were there any Democratic speeches made there ? 
Answer — Yes ; public speeches at the Democratic Club, and all the 

blacks were invited to attend. 

435. Question — Were there any Republican meetings held there ? 
Answer — Not that I know of. 

436. Question — You v.ere an attendant at the Democratic meetings. 
Answer — Yes. 

437. Question — Were you in attendance at the Democratic Club meet- 
ings at the time a resolution was passed, the subject matter of which Avas 
not to employ any colored person that voted the Radical ticket. 

Answer — I was there when it came up ; it was mentioned, but it didn't 
carry. 

438. Question — Was it not the general understanding among the col- 
ored people, that those who voted the Radical ticket would not be em- 
ployed ? 

Answer — I suppose it was ; that was the general understanding or im- 
pression which went out. 

439. Question — From what you have seen and what you have heard, 
don't you believe that that impression had a tendency to keep many 
from voting who would have voted. 

Answer — I don't think it did in my settlement ; but I can't speak for 
other boxes. ^ 

440. Question — Do you know of any outrages that were committed in 
this County ? 

Answer — I have heard of them. 

441. Question — Where were you at the time Mr. Martin was shot ? 
Answer — I was at home. 

442. Question — Do you know anything of the circumstances of his 
death ? 

Answer — No. 

443. Question — Those tAvo men killed at LoAvndesville, and one at 
Whitehall, did you know them? 

AnsAver — I was not acquainted with them. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 357 



444. Question — Did you ever hear the alleged cause of their death ? 
Answer — Because they were Union men. 

445. Question — From what you have seen, and from what you know, 
do you not believe that it was dangerous for a Radical to travel through 
the County at that time and express his Radical sentiments. 

Answer — I do. 

446. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You said there were no Republican 
tickets at that box ; do you believe that any Republican could have 
stayed at that box all day, and issued Republican tickets, without being 
molested ? 

Answer — Yes ; that was the order ; I Avas appointed by Mr. Hubbard 
to keep order. 

447. Question — According to your belief, what caused those persons 
to bring arms to the polls ? 

Answer — There were no arms that could be seen ; my belief is, that 
no arms were brought there to turn a Republican ticket. 

448. Question — Those men that were shooting at marks, were they at 
the polls all day ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

449. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre)— Were you Deputy Constable when 
Mr. Martin was killed ? 

Answer — No ; I was only appointed for the day of election. 

450. Question — Do you know who were the murderers of Mr. Martin ? 
Answer — No. 

451. Question— Was there not a general understanding at your Club 
that you were to prevent all Republicans from voting ? 

Answer — No. 

452. Question — Do you not believe that all the Republicans shot in 
this County were sliot on account of the prominence they took in 
politics ? 

Answer — I believe it. 

453. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Please state where you were the day 
Mr. Randolph Avas killed at Hodges' Depot? 

Answer — I cannot tell ; but I am certain I was not within twenty miles 
of the place. 

454. Question — Did you employ any laborers ? 

Answei' — Yes ; I have had two since 1865, and this year have got three. 

455. Question — Have you ever had any difficulty with any colored 
people in your settlement, or any where in the County ? 

Answer — No. 

456. Question — Did you ever attend any Democratic meetings in town? 
Answer — No. 

457. Question — To the best of your knoAvledge and belief, was there 
or Avas there not, an intense feeling prior to the general election against 
members of the Republican party in this County 'i 

Answer — I have no doubt of it. 

W. T. Branch, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

458. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — I am. 



35B INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



459. Question — In what part of the County do you now reside ? 
Answer — About three and a-half miles east of Calhoun Mills. 

460. Question — Where were you living prior to and at the time of the 
late general election ? 

Answer — At the same place. 

461. Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations, threats 
or menaces, alleged to have occurred at the late general election ? 

Answer — I registered and voted at Calhoun Mills box. On the day of 
the election I know of no threats to keep Republicans from voting. I 
saw none. I was there most of the day. 

462. Question — Who were the Managers of Election on that day, 
(general election?) 

Answer — I think, Mr. Wm. Mars was one, and W. H. Taggart, if I re- 
member right. 

463. Question — You stated you were there most of the day ? 
Answer — I left about 2 o'clock. 

464. Question — Did you witness any difficulty, at the the polls, that 
day? 

Answer — I had a slight difficulty with James Taggart, Jr. 

465. Question — To what party do you belong ? 
Answer — Democratic, of course. 

466. Question — Did you attend the Democratic Club meetings regu- 
larly ? 

Answer — I did. 

467. Question — Were you there when a resolution was passed, the sub- 
ject matter of which was not to employ persons voting the Radical 
ticket? 

Answer — The resolution was not passed, to my recollection. I Avas there 
when it was introduced. 

468. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Was there not a lot of liquor at 
Calhoun Mills, on the day of election ? 

Answer — Not that I know. 

469. Question — Were not the polls up stairs ? 
Answer — Yes. 

470. Question — Was it not a narrow place to go up ? 
Answei' — About four feet. 

471. Question — Were there not some young men up there all day, 
more or less, under the influence of liquor ? 

Answer — No. 

472. Question — Did or did not any colored persons vote there that 
day? 

Answer — Yes ; a number of them. 

473. Question — Do you know the number of votes cast at that poll ? 
Answer — I do not. 

474. Question — Do you believe that the Republicans could have come 
to that poll, and voted the Republican ticket openly ? 

Answer — I know they did. I told my men to go and vote, and I know 
they have been Radicals, and voted against me. 

475. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Do you believe that Randolph and 
Martin were killed on account of their political opinions ? 

Answer — I believe Randolph was killed on account of his political 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 359 



opinions, but I do not think Martin Avas. I believe, and have told Lena 
Guffin, he will be killed in less than twelve months, on account of his po- 
litical opinions? 

On motion, at 5 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow, 
at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville, C. H., S. C, June 24, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business — Mr. 
Wright acting Chairman. 

Joshua Wardlaw, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

476. Question— Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes, sir. 

477. Question — How long have you been a resident of this County?. 
Answer — Born and bred here. 

478. Question — In this town ? 
Answer — Yes. 

479. Question — Do you knoAV of any outrages, or any means of in- 
timidation, or threats, used to keep persons from voting at the late gen- 
eral election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

480. Question — Please state Avhat those means of intimidation and 
. threats used were, and who made them ? 

Answer — I heard Fred Edmunds say that no colored people should 
vote at Calhoun Mills, excej)t they voted the Democratic ticket. He 
said : " I am going down there now to gather my company and meet 
them there." I immediately went to Mr. Guffin and told him what I 
had heard. I had to go to Mr. Bradley's Mill myself to vote, and I told 
him I was afraid to go on account of the threats that had been made. 
Mr. Guffin then told me not to be afraid, for they dared not interfere 
with me. I replied : " I know the people, and will not go, although I 
am a friend of yours." 

481. Question — Do you know of any other outrage committed ? 
Answer — Yes, sir. 

482. Question — Please state what that outrage was. 

Answer — Mr. Wm. Richardson, a white man with whom I resided last 
year, came to me one night in August last, and said to me : " Get up." 
(I was in bed.) I asked him what he wanted. He said he wanted me 
to go out with him. I said I had no particular call out. He said : 
" Damn you, you shall go. What have you got in this trunk?" At 
this time I arose from the bed. Wm. Harmons, Pres. Blackwell and 



360 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Mr. Coon were in company with Mr. Richardson. They took me out of 
my house, and Avent and took my brother-in-law also. My wife Avas 
screaming, and they threatened her life. Pres. BlackAvell kicked one of 
my little children that Avas in the bed. They took my brother-in-law's 
gun and broke it against a tree in the yard. They laid me down on the 
ground, after stripping me as naked as Avhen I came into the Avorld, and 
struck me five times Avith a strap before I got aAvay from them. After 
escaping they fired four shots at me, but did not hit me. I Avas so fright- 
ened I laid out in the Avoods all night, naked as I Avas, and suffered from 
the exposure. Mr. Richardson afterAvards told me he Avas A'cry sorry I 
had escaped from them. My brother-in-laAV died from the beating he got 
that same night ; and my nephcAV, Harry Durgan, got severely beat that 
night by the same party. Mose Martin, another colored man on the 
place, Avas also beaten badly that same night, by the same party ; and 
Harry Martin, (colored,) received about seven hundred lashes also. My 
cousin, Ben Pinckney, Avas so severely beaten that he Avas unable to do any 
Avork for a month or so after. I have never been back to the settlement 
since that time, being afraid they Avould kill me. 

483. Question — Had you any difficulty or quarrel Avith any of those 
men before they A^sited your house that night ? 

Ansvv'cr — No ; I never had a cross Avord Avith either of them. 

48-4. Question — When they came to your house did they state Avhy 
they Avanted to take you out ? 

Answer — No ; but about a Aveek or two before that, William Harmon 
and Wm. Richardson asked me Avhether I Avas a Radical or Democrat, or 
Avhat I intended to be. I replied that I didn't desire to say Avhat I Avas 
or Avhat I intended to do, for I had not decided in my mind. They 
said: "You Avill have to state Avhat you are, or you Avill have to 
quit the place." I told them I Avould join them rather than lose my 
crop. On the day of the general election they called me into the 
house to vote the Democratic ticket. They had a keg of Avhisky, 
and offered me a drink ; I told them no, I Avould not drink it. They 
then asked me Avhether I AA'as going to vote the Democratic ticket ; 
I replied no, that if I could not vote the way I Avanted, I Avould not \'ote 
at all. They then said : " Put him out ;" they then put me out and 
slammed the door after me. One of the party at the polls, named James 
Jennings, said : " We will take his life before six months ;" and Mr. Wm. 
Tennentsaid: "Yes, damn him, Ave Avill do it." He also said: "Damn 
him, he is the damned leader that is keeping the others from voting the 
Democratic ticket." I told them, before leaving, that I was a Radical, 
and did not care who knew it ; and I did prcA^ent a great many from 
voting the Democratic ticket, and I Avill still do so. The next outrage I 
Avitnessed Avas : Ellington Searles had a mill burnt ; a man that lived 
Avith me, named INIack Martin, Avas accused by Mr. Searles of breaking 
into the mill before it Avas burned. Mr. Searles came to the place I Avas 
living on, Avith a party of eleven, and took this man Mack out in the 
broad dayjight, and carried him up the road about a quarter of a mile 
from the house, and gave him sixteen hundred lashes, Avhich I saAV. They 
had a ferocious dog ; after they had Avhipped him they put the dog on 
him, and the dog attacked him, (naked as he Avas,) and tore large pieces 
from his side and limbs, and they all gathered pine knots and placed 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 861 



around the man and said they would scorch him. Some of the party- 
begged them not to, and it was not done. This all occurred about 1^ 
o'clock in the day. 

485. Question — Do you know the names of those men who were in 
company with Searles, that day of the outrage upon this man If 

Answer — Yes. 

486. Question — Please state the names? 

Answer — Pres. Blackwell, Mr. Coon, Wm. Colyer, (he lives in Edge- 
field,) Joshua Bell, and others I don't remember. 

487. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you know where that man is that 
received the beating ? 

Answer — Yes. 

488. Question — Where does he now reside ? 
Answer — He is on Patterson's plantation. 

489. Question — Where is Patterson's plantation ? 

Answer — This side of Baxter's Ferry, on the Savannah River, in this 
County. 

490. Question — Did you ever see the scars on this man since ? 
Answer — Yes. 

491. Question — Are the marks on him now ? 
Answer — Yes. 

492. Question— Do you know whether the parties that committed these 
outrages are now in the County ? 

Answer — Yes. 

493. Question — Please state what part of the County they arc now 
living in ? 

Answer — Mr. Blackwell lives one-fourth of a mile below Mr. Searles' 
house, (twenty-six miles from the Court House). Ellington Searles lives 
in a large white house, one-fourth of a mile from Mr. Blackwell. Mr. 
Wm. Harmon lives about four hundred yards above Searles' house. Mr. 
Coon, I can't say whether he lives in this County or over in Georgia, at 
Lincoln C. H. ; he came backwards and forwards. Joshua Bell lives 
within a mile of Derringer's Gold Mine, this side, towards Abbeville. 
Mr. Colyer lives near the line of Edgefield County. Jennings lives one- 
half mile from Searles' Mill, at the forks of Little and Savannah rivers. 
Mr. Richardson lives three miles this side of Basle Ferry, near the cross 
roads. Mr. Tennent lives about three miles below Willington. 

494. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You stated that Wm. Harmon, and 
others, took you out of your house, stripped you, and laid you on the 
ground, and gave you five lashes ; were you tied ? 

Answer — No. 

495. Question — How did you escape ? 

Answer — They took my pants off, and had my shirt rolled up behind, 
and gave me five lashes Avith a leather strap ; they had formed a circle 
round me, and they said : " Take him up and take his shirt ofi'. " They 
ordered my cousin to take my shirt off', and at that time Wm. Harmon 
said to my cousin : " If you don't take it off quick I will knock you over 
with my pistol," and he then stepped up and kicked him. As soon as 
my shirt was pulled off', I saAV an opening in the crowd, and I broke and 
run through that little opening, and took to the woods, at the time being 
naked, and they fired four times at me. 
46 



362 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



496. Question — How many colored men did they have there ? 
Answer — Six of us colored men that they had that night. 

497. Question — How many white men were there ? 
Answer — Looked to me as though twenty or thirty. 

498. Question — You recognized them that took 5'ou from your house ? 
Answer — Yes ; Pres. Blackwell and Bill Harmon seemed as though 

they didn't want me to know them, as they tied their handkerchiefs round 
their jaws and over their heads. 

499. Question — Were those white men armed ? 

Answer — Yes, every one ; some had guns besides their pistols. 

500. Question — Were you the first man they undertook to lash ? 
Answer — Yes. 

501. Question — In what settlement did this take place ? 

Answer — Down near Basle's Ferry, on Patterson's plantation. I had 
lived there fifteen years, and I had known these men ever since I lived 
there. 

502. Question — You said, on the day of election, they took you in a 
room where they had a cask of whisky ; at what poll was this ? 

Answer — Bordeaux polls. 

503. Question — Who were the Managers there ? 

Answer — Dr. Joubert and Peter Gillbean, and I don't know the name 
of the other. 

504. Question — What time of day was it they asked you to take the 
whisky ? 

Answer — About 9 o'clock in the morning. 

505. Question — Did you vote ? 

Answer — No ; if I had they would have shot me. 

506. Question — AVhat reason have you for saying they would have 
shot you ? 

Answer — They had guns and large clubs, and stood in the piazza. 
Sampson Cade and Gilbert Cade had the whisky there. 

507. Question — About how many white men were there ? 

Answer — About one hundred and fifty were there first, and when they 
saw the colored men coming, they went and got more white men. They 
gathered a troop from Willington and Mt. Carmel. They had sent two 
men after the crowd of armed wdiite men, and about one hundred and 
fifty came, and all had guns. Then all the colored people left without 
voting. The white men said if a Radical ticket was voted it would be 
over a dead body. 

508. Question — Who said that ? 

Answer — I heard Edward Newby and others say it. 

509. Question — Did you ever attend any political meetings ? 
Answer — They would not allow us to hold political meetings. 

510. Question — Did you hear any Republican speeches ? 

Answer — Yes ; but not down in that settlement. I heard them iu 
town. They Avould have killed Republican speakers in our settlement. 

511. Question — Who did you hear speak? 
Answer — I heard Mr. Wright speak. 

512. Question — What impression did Mr. Wright's speech have upon 
the people ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 363 



Answer — A very fine impression ; some like to have lost tlieir lives for 
coming. 

513. Question — Do you know of a band called the Ku Klux Klan ? 

Answer — Yes, one or two bands ; one at Mt. Carmel and one at Der- 
ringer's Gold Mine. The latter party killed an old colored man, who 
had eleven children and six grand children, and no one to take care of 
them but himself; they killed him in his house ; his name was Jake 
Jones. 

514. Question — Did you ever see either of those bands ? 

Answer — I saw the band about Mt. Carmel ; they ranged about the 
ferry ; they always traveled at night. 

515. Question — Were they disguised? 

Answer — They were sometimes, and then they got so bold they quit it. 

516. Question — How do you know they were the Ku Klux ? 
Answ^er — I have heard them say it often. Fred Ednmnds and James 

Jennings have said so. 

517. Question — Do you know who was the chief of the band at Mt. 
Carmel ? 

Answer — No. 

518. Question — Or at Derringer's? 
Answ^er — No. 

519. Question — To the best of your knowledge, do you believe that 
those bands were gotten up for the purpose of intimidating and threaten- 
ing colored people, to prevent them from exercising their right of suffrage, 
and also of preventing Republicans from speaking ? 

Answer — I do. 

520. Question — From what you have seen and heard, do you believe 
those bands accomjilished their aims and purposes, in preventing a great 
many colored people from voting ? 

Answer — Yes, I know a large number who would have voted had they 
not been afraid of those bands called the Ku Klux ? 

521. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Was that keg of whisky in the same 
room where the voting was going on ? 

Answer — There was but one room to the house, and the counter ran 
along one side of the house ; the keg was in the same room, about six or 
seven feet from the ballot-box. 

Eli Moragne, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

522. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

523. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised in this County. 

524. Q,uestion — What part of the County do you live in ? 
Answer — I live here now, but did live in Bordeaux. 

525. Question — How long since you moved from Bordeaux here ? 
Answer — I have been here about one month. 

526. Question — Did you vote at Bordeaux at the late general election ? 
Answer — No, sir, I didn't vote. 

527. Question — Why did you not vote ? 

Answer — They wouldn't allow us to vote. The men there told us that 



364 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



if we voted the Radical ticket we would vote it over a dead body. We 
appointed three men to go and ask the Managers the reason we could not 
vote. They said if we could get the tickets to them they would take them, 
but there were white men standing between us and the box armed. 

528. Question — About how many ? 

Answer — I saw five at that time. The company of colored people 
stayed until about 3 o'clock, trying to get a chance to vote. 

529. Question — Can you state to us any means used before that time 
to keep the colored people from voting — any one threatened ? 

Answer — Not that I know of in particular. 

530. Question — Was there any whisky at the polls ? 

Answer — I didn't see any ; many appeared as though they had been 
drinking. 

531. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did or did not some person speak 
to you about voting, prior to the election ; threaten you if you didn't vote 
a certain way there would be something done to you ? 

Answer — Mr. Wm. Henry Brady asked me, about a week before the 
election, how I intended to vote ; I told him I didn't know then, and 
wouldn't until the day of election, and that I might probably stay home 
and work that day. 

532. Question — About how many were at the polls on the day of elec- 
tion? 

Answer — About 150. 

533. Question — Do you know how many voted ? 

Answer — I don't know ; if any voted, they voted the Democratic 
ticket. 

534. Question — Would it have been dangerous to have voted the Ile- 
publican ticket? 

Answer — Yes, sir, it would. 

535. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you know anything about any 
outrages committed on any person before the election ? 

Answer — No, sir, none before the election. 

536. Question — Do you know anything about a man that was severely 
whipped, and a dog set upon him after he was whipped ? 

Answer — No, sir. 

537. Question — Are you acquainted with Mr. Wardlaw ? 
Answer— Yes. 

538. Question — Do you know of any abuse he received ? 
Answer — I heard of it. 

539. Question — To what box did you go to vote, at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Bordeaux. 

640. Q,uestion — Did you go in the room at all ? 

Answer — No, I didn't get in ; men were standing before the door, and 
wouldn't let us in. 

541. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Do you know anything about armed 
bands, called Ku Klux, going around the country at night ? 

Answer — I have seen them. 

542. Question — Where and when did you see them ? 
Answer — I saw them at Bordeaux, in November last. 

543. Question — In the night ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 365 



Answer — Yes ; they came to my house and broke it open, and took me 
out about three hundred yards from the house, and whipped me with a 
wagon whip, after stripping me naked and stretching me upon the 
ground, and gave me about five hundred lashes. 

544. Question — Do you know the names of any of that party ? 
Answer — Yes, some of them. 

545. Question — Please give the names ? 

Answer — Allen Moragne, Bob Martin, Ed. Newby, Sam Cade, Gibson 
Cade, Mr. Pope, (I think, Charley is his name,) Singleton Mcintosh. 
This is all I know, but there were about twenty-five in the party. They 
whipped four others the same night, to my knowledge. 

546. Question — Do you know the names of the other men that were 
whipped that night ? 

Answer — Yes. 

547. Question — Please state the names? 

Answer — Wade Moragne, (my brother,) Luther Moragne, who lived 
about two miles from where I lived, Jeff" Gilbeaux, and Charles Seibert. 

5i8. Question — Were you all whipped at the same place? 

Answer — No ; two were whipped at the same place, the others in the 
neighborhood. 

549. Question — Did you have any dispute with those men, prior to the 
night you were whipped ? 

Answer — No. 

550. Question — Did they assign reasons why you were whipped ? 
Answer — That we were leading Radicals in the neighborhood. After 

I was whipped, Mr. P. B. Moragne said I had better let him carry my 
name up to the Club. I told him I didn't care, (I was in bed at the 
time, from injuries I had received.) He then left, and went to the Club 
that day. A day or two after, he brought me the following certificate : 

" This certifies that Eli Moragne is a member of W. and B. Club, and 
is deserving of protection. 

(Signed) P. B. MORAGNE." 

December 7, 1868. 

651. Question — Have you ever been molested since ? 

Answer — No ; on the night that I was whipped I was ordered by the 
party to leave the State in twenty-four hours after. The next day I 
moved to my mother's house, which was two miles from the plantation on 
which I lived when I was whipped. She lived on the plantation of Mr. 
P. B. Moragne, who gave me the certificate Avhile I was there. 

552. Question — Have those parties ever been arrested ? 
Answer — Yes, all except one. 

553. Question — Have they ever been tried ? 
Answer — No, sir. 

554. Question — What disposition was made of the case ? 

Answer — I don't know ; Mr. Gufiin said it was going to be put oft'untii 
the next court. 

555. Question— Who is Mr. Guffin ? 
Answer — A Magistrate. 

556. Question — Is he the Magistrate before whom you made the afii-< 
davit upon which the parties were arrested ? 



366 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes. 

557. Question — Do you know of any murders that have been com- 
mitted by hiwless ruffians about the County ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I heard of a man being shot on the night 
of the day of election. 

558. Question — You said that the Managers of the box at Bordeaux 
poll said, in reply to the Committee that your party sent to inquire why 
you could not vote, that if you could get your tickets to the box that 
they would take them ; did they (the Managers) know that those armed 
men were there preventing you from approaching the box ? 

Answer — Yes, sir, they knew it. 

559. Question — Did they (the Managers) use any efforts to drive those 
men away ? 

Answer — No, they did not ; I was right there all the time that the 
colored people were there, and never heard the Managers say a word to 
them. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned until 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

William Eakin, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

560. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes, have lived here all my life. 

561. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Merchandising. 

562. Question — Were you in town the day of the last general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

563. Question — Did you vote that day ? 
Answer — No, I was not old enough. 

564. Question — Do you or do you not know of any intimidations or 
threats used prior to or on the day of election, whereby any person or 
persons were kept from voting as they felt disposed ? 

Answer — No ; I was not near the polls. 

565. Question — Were you iu town on the day that Mr. IMartiu was 
shot ? 

Answer — Yes, sir. 

566. Question — Do you know any of the circumstances connected with 
the shooting of Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — Nothing at all. 
^ 567. Question — How long after he was shot before you were in posses- 
sion of the facts connected Avith the shooting? 

Answer — I heard it that night ; some colored men told me. 

568. Question — Did you see him after he was shot ? 
Answer — No, sir. 

569. Question — Do you know anything of the parties that shot him ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 367 



AnsAver — At the time I didn't knoAv; since tliat I have found out it 
was AVm. K. Talbert, John W. Talbert and Joshua Logan. 

570. Question — How long was it after the killing of Mr. Martin, that 
you found out the names of the parties who shot him ? 

Answer — About two months before Mr. W. K. Talbert was arrested. 

571. Question — Do you know any thing of the killing of Mr. B. F. 
Kandolph? 

Answer — I do not. 

572. Question — Do you know of any other jiersons having been shot 
in this County ? 

Answer — I don't know of any others. 

573. Question — Do you, or do you not, know of an organized band of 
men, styling themselves Ku Klux, for the purpose of intimidating persons 
from voting as they desired ? 

Answer — I do not know of any. 

574. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — You said you were in town the day 
Mr. Martin was killed, and heard the facts connected with his murder the 
next day? 

Answer — I heard it that night. 

575. Question — You said that you learned of his death from a colored 
man ; who was that colored man ? 

Answer — I do not know who he was. 

576. Question — Did you make any inquiries of that colored man con- 
cerning the manner of his death? 

Answer — I did not ; I simply heard he was killed. 

577. Question — You said that you found out afterwards that W. K. 
Talbert, J. W. Talbert, and Joshua Logan, were the parties who com- 
mitted the murder ; how did you find that out ? 

Answer — I heard it out in the country from men talking ; they said, 
after Randolph was shot, that they were the men who killed both. 

578. Question — Do you consider that sufficient ground to W'urrant you 
in saying you foimd it out ? 

Answer — It is hearsay to me, as it Avas of hearing that ]\Iartiu Avas 
shot. 

579. Question — Please state the names of the parties who stated that 
they were the men Avho committed the murder, and the place where you 
heard it said ? 

Answer — I heard it at church ; they were not talking to me ; I over- 
heard it. 

5c 0. Question — Please state what church, and Avhere the church is? 
Answer — Gilgal church, about nine miles from Abbeville. 

581. Question — Did you, or did you not, see the men, who you say 
you afterwards found out to be the murderers of Mr. Martin, on the day 
the murder was committed ? 

Answer — I did, in the street in Abbeville. 

582. Question — Did you see them any Avhere else ? 
Answer — I did not. 

583. Question — Were they or were they not in your store on that day ? 
Answer — They were not ; if they Avere I didn't see them. 

584. Question — Is your store a single room, or have you an upper 
story. 



368 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — It is a two story building — the store is below. 

585. Question — Did you or did you not occupy the upper story ? 
AnsAver — I did, as a bed-room. 

586. Question — Was it not customary for your friends to go up stairs 
sometimes, when they wanted to indulge in private conversation, or at- 
tend to other private business ? 

Answer — It was not customary. 

587. Question — Do you mean to say that no one ever went there at 
all, or that a few intimate friends occasionally went up there ? 

Answ^er — No one ever at all. 

588. Question — Is there a back room to your store, or is it all in one ? 
Answer — There is a back room to it. 

589. Question — Do your friends ever visit that room ? 
Answer — Yes. 

590. Question — Do you consider that as a private room ? 
Answer — No, just as public as the other part. 

591. Question — You said, a while ago, that if those men were in your 
place that day you didn't know it ? 

Answer — I did not. 

Question — Was it possible for them to have been there without your 
knowledge of the fact ? 
Answer — Certainly. 

593. Question — Why do you regard it as a possibility ? 

Answer — There are two rooms to the house, and there is nearly as much 
business transacted in one as the other. 

594. Question — Did you have an assistant in your store ? 
Answer — Capt. H. S. Kerr was there at the time, 

595. Question — Is he in town at this time ? 
Answer — He is. 

596. Question — Were you intimately acquainted with those young men, 
Talberts ? 

Answer — I didn't know any of them, except Wm. Talbert, and I was 
not intimately acquainted with him ; the other two were introduced to me 
that day on the street. 

597. Question — When you saw those three men in the street, and were 
introduced to them, were there others in company with them ? 

Answer — One. 

598. Question— What is his name ? 

Answer — Joseph Davis. They had just walked out of Jones' bar room, 
as I went in to get a drink. 

599. Question — Was Davis the only one with them ? 
Answer — The only one that walked out with them, 

600. Question — Did you, or did you not, have any conversation with 
them. 

Answer — I did not. 

601. Question — Did they ever visit your place, at any time? 
Answer — Davis did, but the others never did. 

602. Question — Was Davis in your store that day ? 
Answer — Yes ; in the morning. 

603. Question — Did any one accompany him ? 
Answer — No one. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 369 



604. Question — Did you have any conversation with him whilst in 
your store? 

Answer — Nothing more than speak and joke with him. 

605. Question — Were you acquainted with Mr. Martin ? 
Answer — No ; but I saw him several times. 

606. Question — Did you see Mr. Martin the day on which he was 
killed? 

Answer — No. 

607. Question — Was there any excitement in town that day ? 
Answer — None that I know of. 

60S. Question — You said you learned from a colored man that night 
that he was killed ? 

Answer — No ; that he was shot; not that he was killed. 

609. Question — You furthermore say you do not know who the colored 
man was that told you ? 

Answer — No. 

610. Question — Now, how did the colored man come to give you this 
information ? 

Answer — He was not talking to me ; he was talking to other meu, and 
said Mr, Martin Avas shot. 

611. Question — Were those men he was talking to white or colored ? 
Answer — Some white, and some colored standing by. 

612. Question — Were they residents of this place ? 

AnsAver — Yes ; I suppose they were. I paid no attention to who they 
were ; I passed on by. 

613. Question — Do you, or do you not, know the names of some of 
those parties ? 

Answer — I do not. 

614. Question — Do you not think, after the occurrence of an event of 
so grave a nature in this County, that it would seem more reasonable if 
you had manifested sufficient interest in noticing some of the parties, at 
least, between whom this conversation took place? 

Answer — I didn't think it was any of my business, and I passed on. 

615. Question — After hearing the men say Mr. Martin was shot, did 
you make any inquiries of him as to how and by whom he was shot ? 

Answer — I did not. 

616. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — To what party do you belong? 
Answer — Democrat. 

617. Question — Were you a member of the Democratic Club? 
Answer — Yes ; I came to the Democratic meeting one time. 

618. Question — What time was that? 

Answer — When it was first gotten up ; I don't recollect what time ? 

619. Question — Were you at a meeting when labor resolutions Avere 
passed, the subject matter of which Avas, not to employ persons Avho voted 
the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I Avas not ; but I heard of it afterAvards. 

620. Question — You said after Martin Avas killed you didn't learn 
Avho the parties AA'ere until tAVO months before Talbert was arrested, and 
you heard it at Gilgal Church ? 

Answer — Yes. 

621. Question — Who did you hear it from ? 

47 



370 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I can't tell. 

622. Question — From male or female ? 
Answer — It was several men talking. 

623. Question — In the church or outside ? 
Answer — Outside. 

624. Question — Before or after service ? 
Answer — Before. 

625. Question — Who was with you at the time? 
Answer — Some young ladies. 

626. Question — What length of time did you tarry outside of the 
church ? 

Answer — Fifteen or twenty minutes before service after I heard that. 

627. Question — What was the reason you tarried outside ? 

Answer — That is the practice in our country — for young men and wo- 
men not to go in until service commences. 

628. Question — How many were in the crowd that were talking about 
this matter ? 

Answer — Five or six talking about who killed Martin and Ran- 
dolph. 

629. Question — One of them said that the persons you mentioned did 
both deeds ? 

Answer — Yes. 

630. Question — Were you looking at this man when he made this ob- 
servation ? 

Answer — No ; I was sitting in my buggy with the young ladies, and I 
didn't notice who made the observation. 

631. Question — You will positively swear you don't know who made 
the observation ? 

Answer — I will. 

632. Question — About how long were those men talking about this 
matter ? 

Answer — They were standing there some ten or fifteen minutes before 
I heard this. I don't know that they had been talking about this all the 
time. 

633. Question — Did you overhear any other part of their conversa- 
tion ? 

Answer — No. 

634. Question — How was it you recollect so distinctly the names this 
man mentioned, as those who murdered Randolph and Martin, more than 
their other conversation ? 

Answer — I cannot tell. 

635. Question — After you got out of your buggy, did you join those 
men? 

Answer — No, I went in church with the young ladies. 

636. Question — Did those men go in also ? 

Answer — Yes ; they went around one side of the house, and I went 
the other. 

637. Question — About how many were in church that night ? 
Answer — About two or three hundred. 

638. Question — In what part of the church did they sit ? 
Answer — I don't know. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 371 



639. Question — How did you know they went around the other side of 
the church ? 

Answer — I saw them walking off. 

640. Question — You said there were five of them ? 
Answer — Five or six ; I didn't pay particular attention. 

641. Question — Do you know any of them ? 
Answer — No. 

642. Question — Do you think you would know them if you saw them 
again ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I didn't notice their faces. 

643. Question — When they were talking about who were the murder- 
ers of Randolph and Martin, were they standing aside by themselves ? 

Answer — Yes. 

644. Question — About how far were they from you ? 
Answer — About ten or twelve steps. 

645. Question — Did you see those same three men after the service 
was over ? 

Answer — No. 

646. Question — After finding out who were the murderers of Ran- 
dolph and Martin, did you ever mention the fact to other parties? 

Answer — Yes ; to my brother-in-law only. 

647. Question — What is his name ? 

Answer — David P. Hannah. I mentioned it to him after Talbert was 
arrested. 

648. Question — Do you not believe it was your duty to inform the au- 
thorities here what you had heard in regard to the murders of Randolph 
and Martin? 

Answer — I thought it was none of my business. 

649. Question — Do you recollect what day of the month it was you 
overheard this conversation ? 

Answer — I do not. 

650. Question — Who was the pastor of that church at that time ? 
Answer — Joel Townsend ; he lives at Cokesbury. 

651. Question — The day that Martin was killed, did you hear any in- 
dividual mention his name ? 

Answer — I did not. 

652. Question — Were those alleged murderers of Mr. Martin you saw 
that day armed ? 

Answer — Not that I saw. 

653. Question — Did they come in town on horseback or on foot ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

654. Question — Are they residents of this town? 
Answer — No ; they live near Greenwood. 

655. Question — Have you visited them since Martin was killed ? 
Answer — No, sir. 

656. Question — Do you know of any person that has ? 
Answer — No. 

657. Question — The supposition is that they came to town on horse- 
back ? 

Answer — I have no idea hoAV they came. 



372 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



658. Question — "What distance is it from the court house to where 
they live ? 

Answer — About twelve or fourteen miles. I have been to Joshua Lo- 
gan's house several times. 

659. Question — When were you there last ? 
Answer — I have not been there for over a year. 

660. Question — Have you ever had a conversation with his grand- 
father since Randolph and Martin were killed ? 

Answer — I have not. 

661. Question — About what time in the day was it that you saw the 
alleged murderers coming out of Jones' bar-room ? 

Answer — Between 11 and 12 o'clock. 

662. Question — In what direction did they go ? 
Answer — Up the street towards the Marshal House. 

663. Question — Did you see where they went to ? 
Answer — After they left me I went in and got a drink. 

664. Question — About what time in the night was it you heard this 
colored man say Martin was killed ? 

Answer — Between 9 and 10 o'clock. 

665. Question — Was your store closed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

666. Question — Were they standing outside of your door ? 
Answer — Outside of Knox's. 

667. Question — Was his store shut up ? 
Answer — No ; one door was open. 

668. Question — Where was Knox at that time ? 
Answer — In his store, I reckon. 

669. Question — Did Knox hear the colored man say that ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

670. Question — Do you know at what stable the alleged murderers put 
uj) their horses ? 

Answer — I stated that I don't know they had any. 

671. Question — Where did W. K. Talbert generally put up at when 
he came to town ? 

Answer — I don't know that he put up at all ; he generally came in 
and went back in the evening. I had only seen him here three times be- 
fore. Davis lived here part of his time ; he farmed down at Long Cane, 
at James Perrin's place. 

672. Question — Have you since learned where it was customary for 
the alleged murderers of Randolph and INIartin to put up when in town ? 

Answer — I never learned it ; I don't know whether they ever put up 
or not. 

673. Question — You say that you attended the Democratic Club but 
once? 

Answer — Yes. 

674. Question — At that time, w^as W. K. Talbert or Joseph Davis at 
the Club ? 

Answer — Yes ; Joseph Davis was. 

675. Question — Did you hear Davis make any remarks at that meet- 



m<r 



Answer — No. He and I went to the Club together, and he joined. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 373 



676. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you know whether Mr. Martin 
was a Republican or a Democrat ? 

Answer — I do not. 

677. Question — Do you know of him holding any office ? 

Answer — I heard that he had either been or was going to Columbia to 
the Legislature. 

678. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — You say you heard he was going or 
had been to Columbia to the Legislature ; don't you know tliat he was 
elected ? 

Answer — No, I thought they Avere all appointed. 

679. Question — Was it not generally talked of in town as to Avhether 
he was a Republican or Democrat ? 

Answer — I did not hear it. 

680. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — At the time that you heard those 
five or six men speak about who were the murderers of Randolph and 
Martin, you stated that you were in a buggy with some young ladies ; 
how many were there ? 

Answer — There were three. 

68L Question — What were the names of those ladies ? 
Answer — Miss Lucy Nicholls, from Laurens, Miss Ashley, I think, and 
a young lady from Due West, named Miss Ellis. 

682. Question — Do you know whether they overheard the conversa- 
tion? 

Answer — I do not. 

683. Question — Is it your belief that they did ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

684. Question — AVas it not spoken in a sufficiently loud tone for them 
to have heard, as well as yourself? 

AnsAver — I believe it Avas, as I heard it. 

685. Question — Were you and those three ladies the only persons in 
the buggy ? 

AnsAver — Yes. 

686. Question — After the church Avas over, where did you go ? 
Answer — I Avent home Avith one of the young ladies. 

687. Question — Where Avas her home ? 

AnsAver — Due West ; it was Miss Ellis I Avent Avith. 

688. Question — After you got home, did you find any company 
there? 

Answer — I only Avent within a half mile of her house. 

689. Question — Then Avhere did you go ? 
Answer — To my OAvn home, 

690. Question — Did you find any company at your home, when you 
got back ? 

Answer — No ; only my own family. 

Emanuel Weidman, (colored,) sworn- 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

691. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

692. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — All my life. 



374 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



693. Question — In what part of the County were you living, prior and 
at the last general election ? 

Answer — I was living in the lower edge of the County. 

694. Question — In what direction from the court house ? 
Answer — Southward from the court house. 

695. Question — Were you living there on the day of the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

696. Question — At what box did you register ? 
Answer — At Capt. Bradley's Mill. 

697. Question — How far is this mill from where you lived ? 
Answer — About four miles. 

698. Question — Did you go there on the day of election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

699. Question — Did you vote ? 
Answer — No. 

700. Question — Why didn't you vote ? 

Answer — About the time I stejjped into the door two gentlemen of the 
Ku Klux rode up. 

701. Question — Did those men say anything to you? 
Answer — No. 

702. Question — If they did not say anything to you, why did you leave 
the house ? 

_ Answer — The Managers at the box stopped, and would not receive any 
tickets from the black people. 

703. Question— What followed? 

Answer — After they stopped, and after I stepped into the door, I 
stepped back, and then the majority of the black people said : " We had 
better get away from here." And after we came to that conclusion we 
left. 

704. Question — Why did you come to the conclusion that you had 
better leave ? 

Answer — We had been there from about 9 o'clock to nearly 12, and 
would have voted, had we been permitted. 

705. Question — Why Avere you not permitted during that time ? 
Answer — It appeared that they tried to stop us from voting until the 

Ku Klux came. 

706. Question — Did the Ku Klux come ? 
Answer — Yes, sir, I saw two white men ride up. 

707. Question — Did they say anything to the crowd ? 

Answer — They bowed to the white people. Mr. McCaslan, a Magis- 
trate, came to me and said : " We are looking for the Ku Klux here." 
After he told us, (my brother-in-law and I,) it Avas not very long before 
those two men came up, (he had spoken to us before those two men came 
up). After we saw the two men come up that frightened the colored 
people, they left in small crowds, until all were gone. 

708. Question — Were those two men armed ? 

Answer — I did not see the arras, but after we left we heard firing. 

709. Question — Did you see, in the room at the polls, any liquor ? 
Answer — No. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 375 



710. Question — Do you know of any threats, or any violence being 
committed on any person or persons ? 

Answer — Only what I have heard. 

711. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — To the best of your knowledge, do 
you not believe that, at that time, it was extremely dangerous to life and 
limb for a Republican to get up and openly express his sentiments ? 

Answer — I believe it was. 

712. Question — Do you not know it was dangerous? 
Answer — Yes it was. 

George Whitlock, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

713. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

714. Question — In what part of the County were you living prior to 
the late general election ? 

Answer — I have lived in town for the last ten years. 

715. Question — What is your occupation? 

Answer — Carpenter by occupation ; sometimes labor on a farm. 

716. Question — Do you know of any outrages said to have been com- 
mitted prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

717. Question — Please state what you know ? 

Answer — The bushwhackers came upon me one night, and beat me 
severely ; there were four of them. I could not use my hand for a month, 
on account of injury received ; and they also beat me over the head, and 
asked me where was my money. I told them I didn't have any ; they 
said: "You have, as you got $100 the other day." I said if I did I 
haven't got it now ; and they told me I had to give up that money, or 
lose my life ; and then they asked me what I had done with my gun, 
and I told them I did not have it now. I did not know either of the 
four men. 

718. Q.uestion — Were they white or colored men? 
Answer — White men. 

719. Question — Were they disguised ? 
Answer — No, sir. 

720. Question — Were they on horseback or a-foot? 
Answer — On horseback. 

721. Question — Did they have weapons ? 

Answer — Yes ; one a-piece, and put horse-pistols against my breast. 
I was asleep, and they came to me and woke me ; it was between 11 and 
12 o'clock. They took a fine broad-cloth coat from me, and a fine satin 
vest ; they put them on. Two of my sons-in-law were living with me, 
and one heard them and went and woke up the other, and they got out, 
as the men didn't see them, it being dark. 

722. Question — Why didn't your son-in-law alarm you ? 
Answer — They were living in another house. 

Question — After donning your clothes, what did they do ? 

Answer — They took me into my son-in-law's house, and shot five or 
six times, and then rode off, and I have never since heard who they 
were. 



376 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



723. Question — How did they become aware that you had $100 ? 
Answer — I don't know, but I had sokl my cotton. 

724. Question — Do you know of any other outrages ? 

Answer — No ; I was frightened, and moved in town a week before 
Christmas. I then lived two miles from town. 

725. Question— Did you vote on the day of the general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

726. Question— Where ? 
Answer — Here in the court house. 

727. Question — Did you vote an open ticket? 

Answer — I generally folded my tickets, but at that election the Man- 
agers always opened the tickets and looked at them, and it was difficult 
to get near the box for the crowd of Democrats who blocked up the pas- 
sage, asking us to vote that ticket, and saying : " If you vote the Radi- 
cal ticket you will lose your home ; don't depend on the Yankees; they 
are not your friends, but we are." 

728. Question— Who told you that? 

Answer — One of the Croomers, (a young man,) and one of the McCords, 
(an old man.) 

729. Question — Do you believe it would have been dangerous, at that 
time, for you to have said openly that you were a Radical ? 

Answer — Yes ; for if a man said so he didn't know whether he would 
see morning or not. 

730. Question — Did they have any whisky at this poll? 
Answer — I didn't see it. 

731. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Were you in town on the day Mr. 
Martin was shot ? 

Answer — Yes, sir ; I was. 

732. Question — Do you know anything of the parties that shot him ? 
Answer — No. 

733. Question — Did you see INIr. Martin that day ? 
Answer — Yes. 

734. Question — Did you know Mr. Martin before then ? 
Answer — Yes ; well acquainted with him. 

735. Question — Was he a sober and quiet man ? 

Answer — He was; I knew him before he was married, and when he 
Was keeping school. 

736. Question — Was he a very prominent man in the Republican 
ranks ? 

Answer — Always appeared so, since he joined the party. 

737. Question — What office Avas he holding? 
Answer — He was a member of the General Assembly ? 

738. Question — Do you think he was shot because he was a prominent 
man in the Republican party ? 

Answer — I have no other belief but that he was shot because he was a 
prominent man in the Republican party. That very evening before he 
was killed, I Avas standing about three feet from him, and there was a 
crowd of young white men trying to pin a rag to his coat-tail, and at the 
same time cursing him, but he paid no attention to them. 

739. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Did you see him when he was leav- 
ing town 't 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S, C. 377 



Answer — Yes, sir, I saw liim start ; there was a colored man with him ; 
it looked as though they were putting a barrel in his wagon ? 

740. Question — Was Mr. Martin on horseback ? 

Answer — I don't know whether he had a horse with him or not ; he 
was with the wagon when I saw him. 

741. Question — Did you see any party of men leave town about the 
same time he did, or soon after ? 

Answer — I saw one man leave soon after I missed the wagon ; he gal- 
lo])ed away doAvn the street ; I knew him well. 

742. Question — Who was that man ? 
Answei' — Joe Davis. 

743. Question — Did he stop to speak to any one ? 
Answer — No ; he never made a halt. 

744. Question — Did you see any other person go out the road Mr. 
Martin went about that time ? 

Answer — No one that I took any notice of 

745. Question — You say Davis didn't go out the same road ; was it 
likely that he could have gone another road and met him out of town ? 

Answer — Yes, he could have done so. The reason I noticed Davis 
was on account of his being in such a hurry ; I never saw him in such a 
hurry before. 

746. Question — Did you keep your eyes on Davis until he got out of 
sight ? 

Answer — No. The next morning I heard Mr. Martin was killed. 

747. Question — Did you see Joe Davis again that day ? 
Answer — No. 

748. Question — Did you see him the next day ? 

Answer — No ; I never saw him l)ut once or twice after that. 

749. Question — Do you know W. K. Talbert or Joshua Logan ? 
Answer — No. 

750. Question — Did you see Joe Davis on that day before you saw 
him riding out of town ? ^ 

Answer — No. He was riding a mule when I saw him. 

751. Question — Did you know the colored man with Mr. Martin ? 
Answer — I was not acquainted with him. 

752. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — When Mr. Martin started out of 
town, from what place did he start ? 

Answer — He started from Mr. Knox's store to Mr. White's store. 

753. Question — Did he go into White's store ? 
Answer — I don't know ; the Avagon stopped there. 

754. Question — How long did the wagon stop there ? 

Answer — I don't know. The reason I paid attention to him was on 
account of these young men making such fun of him. 

755. Question — Did you see anybody at White's store that you knew 
when the wagon stopped there ? 

Answer — No. 

756. Question — Did you see any person or persons talking with Sir. 
Martin that day ? 

Answer — No particular person. 

On motion, the Committee, at 7 P. M., adjourned, to meet to-morrow, 
at 9 A. M. 

48 



378 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, June 25, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Commmittee met at 9 A. M. A quorum 
being present, the Committee proceeded to business — Mr. Wright, acting 
Chairman. 

H. S. Kerr, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Elliott: 

757. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — I am. 

758. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Twenty-five or twenty-six years. 

759. Question — ^In what portion of the County do you now reside ? 
Answer — In this place. 

760. Question — Were you in town the day Mr. Martin was killed? 
Answer — Yes. 

761. Question — Did you see Mr. Martin on that day ? 
Answer — Not that I know of. 

762. Question — What time did you learn of Mr. Martin's death ? 
Answer — The morning after he was said to have been murdered ; it 

was so reported he was murdered on Monday, and I heard it in the early 
part of Tuesday morning. 

763. Question — Were you acquainted with Martin prior to his death ? 
Answer — Yes ; very well acquainted. 

764. Question — Do you, or do you not, know what was his general 
character ? 

Answer — He was a civil, quiet and unobtrusive man. 

765. Question — Was Mr. Martin regarded in this County as a Re- 
publican ? 

Answei' — Yes ; he Avas so regarded ; but in a conversation with me he 
said he was not. 

766. Question — Was he generally regarded as a man of prominence in 
his party — as a leader? 

Answer — Some time previous to his murder he was reported to be a 
zealous advocate of his party. I don't know that personally ; it was 
a general report ; it was said he was connected with the Union League. 

767. Question — Do you, or do you not believe, that the alleged promi- 
nence which he occupied in his party was the cause of his death ? 

Answer — I do not think that simply his prominence as a leader in his 
party was the cause of his death. I don't think that any man in this 
County has been attacked on account of his political principles. 

768. Question — Are you acquainted with W. K. Talbert ? 
Answer — I don't know that I am. 

769. Question — Are you acquainted with J. W. Talbert and Joshua 
Logan ? 

Answer — I know Logan. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S, C. 379 



770. Question — Are you acquainted with Mr. Joe Davis ? 
Answer — Yes. 

771. Question — Do you, or do you not, recollect seeing Mr. Davis, 
Mr. Logan or Mr. Talbert in town on the day Mr. Martin was said to 
have been killed ? 

Answer — I don't know that I saw Talbert ; but I am certain I did not 
see Logan. Logan was a member of my company in the army, and I 
have not seen him since the surrender. 

772. Question — In regard to Mr. Davis ? 

Answer — I may have seen him ; but I don't remember now ; he was 
in town frequently. 

773. Question — You were at that time employed in Mr. Eakin's store, 
were you not ? 

Answer — Yes, I was. 

774. Question — Was it customary for Mr. Davis or Mr. Talbert to 
visit the store when they were in town ? 

Answer — Mr. Davis was about the store a poi'tion of his time when he 
was in the village. I don't recollect of ever seeing Talbert in the store. 
I saw him one night only in town, when he had a difficulty with the Sheriff, 
who was attempting to put him in jail, but did not succeed at that time. 

775. Question — When was it that the Sheriff made this attempt ? 
Answer — Some time last fall. 

776. Question — Was it before or after Mr. Martin was killed? 
Answer — I think it was after, but I Avon't be positive. 

777. Question — Is there more than one aj^artment in Mr. Eakin's 
store ? 

Answer — Yes, two apartments. 

778. Question — Are both of those apartments public ? 
Answer — Yes. 

779. Question — It is a two-story building, is it not ? 

Answer — The front is two stories — the rear is a one-story shed, where 
heavy goods are kept. 

780. Question — Was the upper story occupied or unoccupied at the 
time ? 

Answer — It was occujiied by Wm. Eakin, one of Mr. Eakin's grand- 
sons, as a bed chamber. 

78L Question — Was it customary for Mr. Wm. Eakin's friends to 
occupy that chamber for private conversation or for the transaction of 
private business ? 

Answer — I don't think it was ; I have never seen it so used. 

782. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Were you or were you not a member 
of the Democi-atic Club ? 

Answer — I was a member of it. 

783. Question — Do you or do you not know of any resolution passing 
in that Club to prevent the colored people voting any other ticket than 
the Democratic ticket on the day of the general election ? 

Answer — I don't think there was any resolution of that character ? 

784. Question — Do you or do you not know of any resolution passing 
the Club in relation to the employment of laborers ? 

Answer — I think there Avas a resolution to the effect not to employ 
those who were Radicals. 



380 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



785. Question — Were you a member of the Central Club or a sub- 
ordinate Club ? 

Answer — I was a member of a subordinate Club, and I think I was 
a member of the Central Club. 

786. Question — Do you not recollect about a resolution passing the 
Central Club, to be sent to the subordinate clubs, in this County, to ap- 
point committee-men, to be at every j^oll, to take the names of the colored 
people who voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I do not, and don't believe there has any such resolution ever 
passed. 

787. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — The day that Mr. Martin was 
killed, were you in the store ? 

Answer — I was, all day. 

788. Question — Was there an unusual number of joeople in the store 
that day ? 

Answer — I don't think it was unusually crowded ; it was on a sale- 
day, and the stores are generally crowded that day. 

789. Question — Did you hear any person or persons make any threats 
that day ? 

Answer — Nothing to attract my attention. 

790 Question — You said that Mr. Eakin's grandson occupied the up- 
per story as a bed chamber ? 
Answer — Yes. 

791. Question — Was Mr. Eakin's grandson in the store that day ? 
Answer — He was ; he Avas a clerk in the store, and jiublic days Avas a 

busy day with us. I was the business manager, and I think that day 
he was the only assistant I had. 

792. Question — Did you notice whether he Avent into the chamber 
Avith any person or persons that day ? 

AnsAver — I don't recollect of his going there with any person. 

793. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Before the general election, did you 
visit in the country any ? 

AnsAver — No. 

794. Question — Were you made acquainted Avith the death of Mr. 
Randolph ? 

Answer — Yes ; I think I heard the report the same day it occurred. 

795. Question — Was it generally talked of among the people why he 
came to his death ? any reasons stated ? 

AusAver — I heard the people talk of the causes in this Avise : that Ran- 
dolph had made violent speeches, stirring up strife among the colored 
people. 

796. Question — At Avhat place or places Avas it stated he made those 
speeches ? 

Answer — I heard of his doing it at this place, in the colored Chapel. 

797. Question — Who informed you? 

Answer— I don't recollect noAV ; it seems to me that Mr. Thomas Chris- 
tian Avas one of the persons. 

798. Question — He AA'as, then, considered as a leading Radical ? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

799. Question — Then that Avas the leading topic of conversation, after 
his death, that you heard ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 381 



Answer — Yes ; that lie was stirring up strife among the colored people, 
and, no doubt, met the fate that he deserved. 

800 Question — Did you ever attend any of the Republican speeches 
that were made here ? 

Answer — I never did. 

801. Question — You have heard of all the meetings spoken of that 
were held here, perhaps ? 

Answer — Yes, all the public meetings. 

802. Question — Then the language imputed to Mr. Randolph was only 
hearsay ? 

Answer — Yes. 

803. Question — "Was it reported that he had spoken several times in 
the County ? 

Answer — I remember only of hearing of his being here once. 

804. Question — What has been the general conduct of the colored to- 
wards the white people here in this County '? 

Answer — So far as my observation goes, the general conduct of the 
colored people has been peaceable. 

805. Question — Do you know of any steps that Avere taken by the 
civil officers for the apprehension of the murderers of Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — I do not. 

806. Question — Has it, or has it not been generally reported, in this 
County, that there are violent characters committing depredations on the 
people ? 

Answer — Yes ; it has been so reported. 

807. Question— Do you know^ of any steps that have been taken, by 
the civil officers, for the apprehension of those characters, to bring thcni 
to justice? 

Answer — I do not. 

808. Question — Do you know of persons frequently coming to town, 
complaining of depredations having been perpetrated by those characters 
in the County ? 

Answer — I do not. 

809. Question — Then, as you stated that you did not visit different 
parts of the County, prior to the general election, you don't know what 
was going on ? 

Answer — No ; not personally. 

810. Question — In vicAV of the fact that it has been impressed upon 
your mind of the existence of violent characters, in different parts of the 
County, would you not consider it dangerous to the life of persons, like 
Mr. Randolph and Mr. Martin, and others entertaining and promulgating 
the same sentiments as they did, to go out, in different parts of the 
County, to promulgate such sentiments ? 

Answer — I have never known of but two characters who were consid- 
ered violent men, who were living in this County. They were Talbert 
and Briscoe. I never saw Briscoe to know him. I have only heard of 
him, and, with the exception of those two characters, I believe that Ran- 
dolph, or anybody else, might have gone unmolested through any part of 
this County, minding their own business, and letting others alone. 



382 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Hampton Edmunds, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

811. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 

Answer — I live in this County, about twenty-six miles from here. 

812. Question — What is the name of the settlement you live in ? 
Answer — Derringer's Gold Mine. 

813. Question — How long have you lived there ? 
Answer — Eighteen or nineteen years. 

814. Question — Do you know of any outrages alleged to have been 
committed prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — There were persons who came to my house and hallooed 
" halloo ! " and after a while I spoke, saying : " halloo ! " They told me 
to open the door ; and they asked who lived there. I said : " Hampton 
and Moses, and wives" They said : " Open the door, Hampton ;" and I 
told them I couldn't open my door at such an unseasonable hour of the 
night — that Mr. Brown gave me my orders not to open the door at such 
an unseasonable hour to any man ; and then they said : " Who is Mr. 
Brown?" and I said: "Mr. Nick Brown." They asked whether I was 
going to open the door. I said : " No, sir." He said : " God damn you, 
if you don't I will set the house on fire and burn you up alive." Then 
he says : " Never mind, God damn you, I can get in to you ;" and then 
he went to the hen house and got a pole, and with that broke my door 
down, and he said to one of them, while breaking the door, " Hold on. 
Bill ; " and Bill said : " Don't call my name ; this is Toadhour ; " and 
then up came another one, whose name was called Josh, who was bustling 
around to break in. One of them said : " You, Josh ! " and then Josh 
replied : " God damn jo\i, don't call my name ; why don't you open the 
door?" I cried out : "Josh, I know you; I thought you better raised 
than that, to come troubling me, as good as I was to your mother and 
father, for it is wrong for you to treat me in this manner." The one Avho 
broke the door down, he and another one sat outside of the door about 
three hours. I told them my wife was sick, and I asked them if they 
thought it was right to interfere with colored people, while they were 
staying home to attend to their work, and they were frolicking about. 
After he broke down the door he wanted me to strike a light, and I said 
I wouldn't make up a light, under such circumstances, for any man. 
Then I asked him what had I done to him that they should come there 
to treat me in the manner they did. He said I hadn't done anything, 
but they Avere the Ku Klux and regulators of the country, on a burst. 
They took my gun, (which was a borrowed one,) and carried it off, and 
wanted to know where my pistol was ; I told them I had sold my pistol 
to George McKetter. Wm. Mims was the one that broke down the 
door, and the other was Jos. Reynolds ; he was the one that told me they 
were Ku Klux. 

815. Question — Who were the other two ? 
Answer — Josh Bell and IMordecai McKinney. 

816. Question — Who was Toadhour? 

Answer — Toadhour Avas a man who was killed, and it Avas Mims Avho 
assumed his name that night. 

817. Question — Were they disguised ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 383 



AusAver — No ; I only saw two — only two showed their faces. 

818. Question — Did this occurrence take place previous to the Presi- 
dential election? 

Answer — Yes. 

819. Question — Did you vote? 
AnsAver — Yes, here (Abbeville). 

820. Question — Was there no poll out your way ? 
Answer — Yes. 

821. Question — What was the name of the box? 
Answer — Moses' box. 

822. Question — Why didn't you vote there ? 

Answer — Because I was not registered there ; I registered here. 

823. Question — Do you know of any other outrage ? 
Answer — Yes. 

824. Question — Please state what you know ? 

Answer — At the election for State officers, I saw Pres. Blackwell give 
out some tickets to Armis Searles (a colored man) to issue, and those 
were Democratic tickets ; and Armis and Mr. McCauley got into some 
dispute, and he (Blackwell) gave Armis his orders to hush, and he seized 
his pistol and walked out the door, and loaded it, and said he was going 
to " straighten things here to-day, by God." 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned until 3 P. M, 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M.,and a quorum 
being present, proceeded to business. 

B. A. Davis, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

825. Question — Are you a resident of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — I am. 

826. Question — How long have you resided in the County ? 
Answer — Ever since I was born. 

827. Question — In what part of the County do you reside ? 
Answer — Near Lowndesville. 

828. Question — Do you know of any intimidations that were used 
prior to or at the late general election, whereby any person or persons 
were prevented from voting as they felt disposed ? 

Answer — I know of none. 

829. Question — Are you a member of the Democratic Club ? 
Answer — I joined it. 

830. Question — Are you a prominent member of it ? 
Answer — No, never was in it after I joined it. 

831. Question — Did you or did you not know of a resolution that was 
passed, and sent to the planters, instructing them not to employ Radicals 
on their places ? 

Answer — I never knew of any. 



)84 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



832. Question — Do you know anything of an organized band of men 
traveling through the country, called Bushwhackers, or Ku Klux ? 

Answer — I do not know of any ; don't believe there was any i'such 
thing in this part of the State. 

833. Question — Do I understand you to state you never beard of such 
an organization ? 

Answer — I have heard of them, but never had a proposition to join 
such a thing. 

834. Question — Were you or were you not in town the day Mr, Martin 
was shot ? 

Answer — Yes. 

835. Question — Do you or do you not know any of the circumstances 
connected with the shooting, or the murderers ? 

Answer — I have never known or heard anything of them ; it is doubt- 
ful if any body will ever know who were the murderers. 

836. Question — Do you know anything of the shooting of B. F. Ran- 
dolph ? 

Answer — I know nothing about it ; not one solitary thing, except Avhat 
I read in the papers. 

837. Question — Do you believe it was safe for any Republican to ex- 
press Republican sentiments in this County prior to the late general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — I believe it was ; I don't believe any intimidation Avas used. 
I don't believe any would have been touched had they not used incen- 
diary language. Mr. Wright spoke, and nothing was incendiary in his 
language, and all he said was right. 

838. Question — Were you acquainted with Mr. Martin prior to the 
time he Avas shot ? 

Answer — I did not know him. 

839. Question — Do you know whether he was a Republican or Demo- 
crat? 

Answer — I do not know. 

840. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You said you were here the day 
Mr. Martin was shot ? 

Answer — Yes. 

841. Question — Who were in company with you the day Martin was 
killed ? 

Answer — I came down with my grandfather. 

842. Question — Do you know Joe Davis ? 
Answer — I do not. 

843. Question—Do you know W. K. Talbert? 
Answer — I do not know him. 

844. Question — What time in the day did you arrive here, (the day 
Martin was killed ?) 

Answer — About 10 o'clock, A. M. 

845. Question — What time of day did you leave town? 

Answer — I did not leave that night. I stayed at Mr. Thompson's 
office from 3 o'clock until dark, and knew nothing of the murder until 
dark, as I was going to the hotel. 

846. Question — At what hotel did you hear it ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 385 



Answer — I did not hear it at the hotel ; I heard it in front of Mr* 
Knox's grocery. 

847. Question — About what time in the evening did you hear it? 
Answer — About a half an hour before sun-down. 

848. Question — Who did you hear it from ? 

Answer — I don't know, but I think from some man named Hamp- 
ton. 

849. Question — Is Hampton a white or colored man ? 
Answer — A white man. 

850. Question — Did you also hear who had committed the deed ? 
Answer — No, nor since ; that murder is the most mysterious thing I 

ever knew of in this district. 

851. Question — Where were you that day, between the hours of 10 and 
3 o'clock ? 

Answer — I was knocking about town. 

852. Question — Where were you the day Mr. Randolph was killed ? 
Answer — I don't remember ; I don't know anything about it. 

853. Question — At what poll did you vote ? 
Answer — Lowndesville. 

854. Question — Were you at the poll during the general election ? 
Answer — Yes ; I was acting Constable, commission from Mr. GuflBn ; 

all was quiet there. 

855. Question — Why do you say it is doubtful that any body will ever 
know who were the murderers of Mr. Martin? 

Answer — That was just an observation. I don't know why. If I used 
such an expression, I didn't mean it. 

856. Question — Do you, or do you not believe, that Mr. Martin was 
killed on account of his prominence in the Republican party ? 

Answer — I know nothing of it. 

857. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How many colored persons do you 
hire on your place ? 

Answer — About sixteen, 

858. Question — To your knowledge, did they vote at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — One of them did, I think, and voted the Democratic ticket. 

8o9. Question — Why didn't the rest vote ? 

Answer — They were not living with me at the time. 

860. Question — Do you know how many votes were cast at that box ? 
Answer — I don't recollect. 

861. Question — Were there any persons standing at the poll, taking 
down the names of those who voted? 

Answer — I recollect one or two men standing there, seeing how many 
votes were cast. 

862. Question — What is the general conduct of the colored people in 
your neighborhood ? 

Answer — Good. 

863. Question — Did they ever come up here to attend speeches ? 
Answer — Yes, a great many ; I think many came the time you spoke« 

864. Question — Have you attended any speeches here ? 
Answer — One only. 

865. Question — Was it a Democrat or Republican meeting ? 

49 



386 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I believe it was Democrat. 

866. Question — What was the general conduct of the people that 
day ? 

Answer — Irreproachable ; I heard a good ruany things afterwards ; all 
was peaceable at the meeting. 

867. Question — Have you heard a general talk in relation to the kill- 
ing of Mr. Martin — the cause of it ? 

Answer — I don't know, or did I ever hear who the murderers of Sneak 
Martin were. I heard that Sneak Martin had made a declaration to the 
colored people to burn Abbeville Court House and every white man's 
house in it. 

868. Question — At the time you heard this conversation among the 
people about his declaration in relation to burning the court house and 
town, did they regret his death ? 

Answer — They did not ; of course not ; no more than they would a 
dog's. 

869. Question — Did you ever hear a general talk among the people, as 
to the causes of the death of Mr. Randolph ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

T. M. Williamson, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

870. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

871. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

872. Question — In what part of the County were you living previous 
to and at the time of the late general election ? 

Answer — At this place. 

873. Question — Do you know of any outrages said to have been com- 
mitted prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — I do. 

874. Question — Please give us a statement ? 

Answer — I heard a man named Joe Davis say, on the day that Mr. 
Martin was killed, " There is that God damn Sneak Martin ; he will not 
live to get home." I have repeatedly hoard threats made by various men, 
that all the leading Republicans should be killed ; those who voted the Re- 
publican ticket should be discharged, and have no employment from mem- 
bers of the Democratic party. On the day that Mr. Randolph was killed at 
Hodges' Depot, I was present, knowing that they intended to kill him for 
his political principles. I saw them looking for him ; there were about 
thirty men, and three of them that shot him were well known by the 
balance of the Democratic party that were there. Feeling sure, at the 
same time, that they intended to kill me for my Republican principles, 
I went farther back in the car. The ladies were excited, and Fletcher 
Hodges came in and said : " It is only a nigger killed ; it will all soon be 
over." On the 15th of September, 1868, I came here for protection — to 
save my life, which was threatened. During that time, when I would 
start for home, I knew they were laying for me, and I w^ould go a differ- 
ent road. On one visit that I made, on my return to this place, a citizen 
of this place, by the name of Kerr, asked me, either how I got back alive, 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 387 



or lie didu't expect me to get back alive ; which it was he said I don't 
remember. After that I was so frightened I just slipped out to busi- 
ness and back again. 

875. Question — About what time in the day did you hear Joe Davis 
make the assertion that Mr. Martin would not live to get home, &c. ? 

Answer — About 11 o'clock in the day. 

876. Question — Where was it he made that assertion ? 

Answer — About twenty yards above the court house, two doors below 
Knox's store. 

877. Question — Who was he speaking to then ? 
Auswex' — A young man by the name of Perrin. 

878. Question — About how close was you to Davis, when he made the 
assertion ? 

Answer — About five feet, with my back to him, and when I heard it 
I turned around to see who made it. 

879. Question — Do you know whether any other persons heard the re- 
mark, except you and Perrin ? 

Answer — I do not. 

880. Question — Did you see Davis, between the hours of 11 and 4 
o'clock, that day ? 

Answer — No ; but I saw Mr. Martin. 

881. Question — Did you inform Mr. Martin Avhat you had heard Da- 
vis say? 

Answer — I did not. 

882. Question — Did you inform anybody after that ? 

Answer — I did not ; I heard so many threats of the same kind, Avhich 
were not put into execution, I didn't pay any attention to it. 

883. Question — Did you see Joe Davis that morning, prior to hearing 
him making that assertion ? 

Answer — I did not. I came in that morning on the cars. 

884. Question — Did he have a horse on that day ? 
Answer — No; he had a mule. 

885. Question — What was the color of the mule? 
Answer — A sorrel. 

886. Question — Was it a large mule, or a small mule? 
Answer — Medium size. 

887. Question — Hoy/ was Davis dressed ? 
Answer — Common every-day clothes. 

888. Question — What was the color of the suit he Avore ? 
Answer — A dark brown. 

889. Question — What kind of a hat did he have? 

Answer — I can't remember Avhether he had a hat or cap. I think it 
was a black hat. 

890. Question — Do you know where he put up his mule that day ? 
Answer — I do not, but he commonly put it up at his brother-in-law's, 

Robert Jones'. 

891. Question — How soon after Mr. Martin was killed did you see 
Joe Davis again ? 

Answer — I think I came over in town the next evening and saw him 

892. Question — You say, at the time Randolph was murdered, you 
was at Hodges' Depot in the car, and saw three men shoot him ? 



888 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes ; and four more pistols drawn at the same time. 

894. Question — Did you recomize the parties who shot Randolph ? 

Answer — I did ; William Talbert. 

894. Question — Do you know of any person or persons standing by 
who saw the same that you did ? 

Answer — Yes. 

895. Question — Please state the names ? 

Answer — Aaron Mitchell was standing closer than I. I was within 
two feet of him. Langdon Conner was standing on the station platform, 
with his hand on his pistol. 

896. Question — About how far from Mr. Randolph ? 
Answer — Ten or twelve feet. 

897. Question — Who else did you know ? 

Answer — Mr. Brooks, (I think his name is John Brooks ;) he had his 
pistol in his hand. 

898. Question— Who else ? 

Answer — Robert Stanley ; he was not far from Brooks, with his pistol 
in his hand. 

899. Question — How far was Stanley from Mr. Randolph ? 
Answ^er — About ten or twelve feet. 

900. Question — Who were the others you saw and recognized ? 
Answer — Fletcher Hodges ; he was standing about fifteen feet off. 

901. Question — Did you see him have any arms ? 
Answer — No, I didn't see him make any effort to draw any. 

902. Question — Did you recognize any of the others ? 

Answer — Those that were on the platform were. James Cochran was 
talking to the party who shot Randolph, a little before he was shot. I 
didn't see him have any arms. 

903. Question — Did you overhear any of the conversation ? 
Answer — No. 

904. Question — Did you overhear any conversation on the platform 
prior to the shooting of Mr. Randolph ? 

Answer — I did not. 

905. Question — Who were Avalking up and down looking in the cars ? 
Answer — I did not see anybody before we went to the pump. Robt. 

Stanley was the first one that came to the cars. The parties who were 
looking out for Mr. Randolph were Wm. Talbert and the two other men 

that shot him ; Fletcher Hodges, James Cochran, Pomp Davis, 

Bryant (I don't know his first name ; he was a man that kept store there at 
that time,) and also his partner — about eight of them altogether. After we 
went down to the pump, where they were getting water, (the engine,) 
two little boys were sent down to the cars ; they came into the cars, looked 
about, and went back again to the crowd of men. 

906. Question — Do you know the names of those boys ? 
Answer — I do not. 

907. Question — Would you know them if you were to see them again ? 
Answer — I think one Avas D. B. Glymph's son — the other, I did not 

know. 

908. Question — What occurred, after Mr. Randolph was shot, that 
came under your observation ? 

Answer — After Fletcher Hodges went out of the car, he looked down 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 389 



upon Mr. Randolph's body, and said : " You said yesterday that negro 
blood ran in your veins, and you was proud of it ; now, God damn you, 
it is running on the ground." 

Henry Nash, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

909. Question — Are you a citizen of this County ? 
Answer — Yes, born and bred in Cokesbury. 

910. Question — How far do you live from the Court House ? 
Answer— I live in Cokesbury, twelve miles from the Court House. 

911. Question — Is Cokesbury in the County of Abbeville ? 
Answer — Yes, sir. 

912. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed prior to or 
at the general election, whereby any person or persons were prevented 
from voting as they felt disposed ? 

Answer — At the time of the voting for President, we were all, at Cokes- 
bury, prevented from voting. 

913. Question — Please state what means were used to prevent the peo- 
ple of Cokesbury from voting at the general election? 

Answer — They said they intended to shoot every man that voted a 
Radical ticket; and the niglit before the election, the Ku Klux went to 
Sherwood Butler's house, and took away all the Republican tickets. On 
the day of election every Democrat had his pistol buckled around him, 
walking around the polls. 

914. Question — Did you go to the polls on that day? 

Answer — Yes, sir ; went there and voted the Democratic ticket ; I was 
obliged to vote that or die. 

915. Question — Did any colored person or persons vote the Republi- 
can ticket on that day ? 

Answer — Some men came from Mulberry and voted the ticket ; but 
they brought the tickets with them. 

916. Question — Were those parties walking around the polls with their 
pistols, Avhen those colored men came from Mulberry ? 

Answer — No ; they hadn't got there then. 

917. Question — Do you believe they could have voted, had those par- 
ties been there ? 

Answer — No ; they could not, because the Democrats had fourteen- 
shooters. 

918. Question — How far is Mulberry from Cokesbury ? 
Answer — About four miles. 

919. Question — Is Mulberry in the County of Abbeville? 
Answer — Yes ; between here and the Saluda River. 

920. Question — Were you at Cokesbury on the day Mr. B. F. Ran- 
dolph was shot? 

Answer — Yes ; in my shop working. 

921. Question — How far is your shop from the depot? 
Answer — Two miles. 

922. Question— Do you or do you not know anything of the shooting- 
of Mr. B.F.Randolph? . J ^ s 

Answer— Yes ; I heard Fletcher Hodges and Sam Simmons say, on 
the night before he was killed, that they were going to kill him to-mor- 



390 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



row. They said when the train Avhistled that all the people that wanted 
to see him killed should go to the depot. He was killed that day. I 
wanted to go to the depot, but I was afraid they Avould kill me. 

923. Question — Were those two men you mentioned the ones that shot 
him ? 

Answer — No ; they were the instigators of it, and had as much to do 
with it as any man in the County, except D. Wyatt Aiken. 

924. Question — Do you know anything further connected with the 
murder of Mr. B. F. Randolph ? 

Answer — Nothing further, only that Ed. Butler told me they had 
killed him. 

925. Question — Did Ed. Butler tell you he saw the men shoot Mr. 
Randolph ? 

Answer — Yes ; he said he Avas standing right by them. 

92G. Question — Did Ed. Butler tell you the names of the parties that 
shot him ? 

Answer — He did not tell me the names, but he said he knew them ; he 
told me this in half an hour after Mr. Randolph was killed. 

927. Question — Did you ever find out the names of those parties that 
shot him ? 

Answer — Yes ; William Talbert, John AVesley Talbert, and Joshua 
Logan. I knew them, because I formerly belonged to the family. 

928. Question — Did you see any of those men in the County after the 
murder of B. F. Randolph ? 

Answer — Yes ; Wm. Talbert and Joshua Logan came to my house the 
same night, to kill me. 

929. Question — When they came to your house that night, what did 
they say or do ? 

AnsAver — They didn't say anything to me, for I didn't give them a 
chance. A Avhite Avoman sent me Avord, by a colored woman, that it Avas 
their intention to come and kill William Butler, Matt. Wilson and my- 
self. I left my house, and Avent into Mr. Ben. Herndon's front yard, and 
laid there. I saAV them go to my house, but I having a very savage dog, 
they could not get up to the house. They rode around Avithin about one 
hundred yards, and then hitched their horses. After they left my house, 
they started doAvn the branch, towards AVilson Butler's house, and I heard 
Bill Talbert say, " It is no use going doAvn there ; let us go and get some 
Avhisky, and go on home." They turned back, and Avent up the street, 
and I saAV no more of them. I heard them going off' in a gallop toAvards 
their home. 

930. Question — Did you retuni to your house that night ? 
Answer — I did not until about tAvo hours before day. 

931. Question — How far is the branch, that they Avent to, from where 
you were lying ? 

Answer — About one hundred yards. 

932. Question — Do you or do you not knoAV anything of the killing of 
Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — No, sir. 

933. Question — Do you know anything about an organized band, called 
Ku Klux or BusliAvhackers, going through the country ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 391 



Answer — Yes ; these men that I have stated about belonged to the 
same band. 

934. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — The night before Mr. Randolph 
was killed, you said you heard Fletcher Hodges and Sam Simmons say 
that they were going to kill B. F. Randolph the next day, and when the 
train whistled, all the people who wanted to see him killed should be 
there ? 

Answer — Yes. 

935. Question — What time of the night was it you heard this ? 
Answer — About an hour after dark. They were standing out on the 

street, in Cokesbury. 

936. Question — Did they see you ? 
Answer — No; I left them talking. 

937. Question — Was it a dark night ? 
Answer — Yes. 

938. Question — Were they mounted ? 

Answer — No ; they were out about twenty or thirty steps from Sam 
Simmons' gate. 

939. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — You said that Flctch. Hodges and 
Sam Simmons were the instigators, and had as much to do with the kill- 
ing of Mr. Randolph as any in the County, except T>. Wyatt Aiken ; why 
do you except J). Wyatt Aiken ? 

Answer — From what he said in a speech. 

940. Question — What did he say in that speech ? 

Answer — He said Hutson Lomax was elected School Commissioner, 
and Henry Nash a County Commissioner, and before the white man 
should be ruled by the nigger, they would kill the last one of them. They 
wanted the nigger to understand it was a white man's government, and 
that they intended to kill every leading Radical, and would not leave one 
on the face of the earth. 

941. Question — Where and when was that speech delivered ? 
Answer — Last summer, in the college, at Cokesbury. 

942. Question — Was that before or after Mr. Randolph's death ? 
Answer — Before. 

943. Question — Why did you vote the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — Because I was afraid to do otherwise, having been threatened 
on that day, and prior to the election, that if I voted the Republican 
ticket I would be killed. 

944. Question — Who made those threats ? 
Answer — Fletch. Hodges and Sam Simmons. 

945. Question — Do you hold any office in this County? if so, what? 
Answer — Yes ; County Commissioner. 

On motion of Mr. Smalls, at 7:10 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to 
meet to-morrow, at 9 A. M. 



392 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



KOOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, June 26, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A. M. 

The Committee proceeded to business — Mr. Wright acting Chairman. 

Handy Baker, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

946. Question — Are you a citizen of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

947. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Thirty years. 

948. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Laborer. 

949. Question — In what part of the County do you now reside ? 
Answer — I am living at Ellington. 

950. Question — On w^hose place ? 

Answer — Mr. Haskell's place, now worked by Steve Smith. 

951. Question — Were you living there prior to and at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

952. Question — Do you or do you not knoAV of any intimidations used 
prior to and at the late general election, by which any person or persons 
were jDrevented from voting as they felt disposed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

953. Question — Please state. 

Answer — The Democrats stood at the box with their pistols in their 
hands, and would not let us go vote. 

954. Question — At what box did you go to vote ? 
Answer — Calhoun Mills. 

955. Question — How long did you stay at the box that day ? 

Answer — I did not stay long ; I handed my ticket up, but the Demo- 
crats would not let me put it in the box, and pushed me down the steps, 
and after that I left. I don't know that my ticket was put in the box. 

956. Question — Were there many colored men at the box at the time 
you were there ? 

Answer — Yes. 

957. Question — How many ? 
Answer — I think about 150. 

Dennis Jackson, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

958. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes ; I live at Calhoun Mills, with Mr. Wm. Mars. 

959. Question — How long have you been living there ? 
Answer — About two years. 

960. Question — Did you vote at the Presidential election ? 
Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 393 



961. Question — Where did you vote ? 

Answer — At Calhoun Mills ; but I could not get to vote until after I 
was shot. 

962. Question — State by whom you was shot ? 

Answer — I don't know, but they tell me that Telly Branch did it. 

963. Question — Were you shot at the polls ? 

Answer — I Avas shot at the foot of the stairs ; the voting was carried 
on in an upper story. 

964. Question — Prior to your being shot, did any one threaten you if 
you didn't vote a certain way ? 

Answer — No, sir. 

965. Question — Did any body try to prevent you from going up stairs ? 
Answer — White fmen crowded the stair-case until the evening ; the 

colored men generally went home. After the whites left the polls, I went 
and voted. 

966. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, did the 
white men who crowded the stair-case prevent the colored people from 
going up to vote ? 

Answer — Yes. 

967. Question — About how many colored men were prevented from 
going up ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

968. Question — How many were'standing outside ? 
Answer — I should judge about two or three hundx'ed. 

969. Question — How many white men were standing on the stair- 
steps ? 

Answer — A great many ; I cannot tell the number. 

970. Question — About what time in' the morning did you reach the 
poll ? 

Answer — Between 8 and 9 o'clock. 

971. Question — Did you notice whether the same white men that 
crowded the stair-case in the morning crowded it in the afternoon ? 

Answer — Yes, they stayed there pretty much all day. 

972. Question — Were they armed ? 
Answer — Yes, had pistols. 

973. Question — Were you shot in attempting to go up stairs ? 
Answer — They were shooting from up stairs down the stairs, and were 

shooting pretty much all day. 

974. Question — In what part of the body were you shot ? 
Answer — In the left shoulder ; the scar is now visible. 

975. Question — After gettingjip stairs,^did you put your ticket in the 
box or give it to the Managers 't 

Answer — The man at the box showed me where to put the tickets. I 
put one in one box and one in the other — one was for Congressman and 
one for Presidential Electors. 

976. Question — Did you bring your ticket Avith you ? 
Answer — Yes ; I brought it from home. 

977. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, liow many 
colored men went up stairs to vote while you were there ? 

Answer— I judge, between 100 and 150. 

50 



394 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



978. Question — To the best of your judgment, how many went away 
without voting ? 

Answer — Between 200 and 300. 

979. Question — Do you know anything of a band of men, called Ku 
Klux, who went about the country intimidating the colored people to 
keep them from voting? 

Answer — I never saw them ; but it Avas generally understood among 
the people that they were going about. 

980. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You say there were men at Calhoun 
Mills shooting, and thex-e you were shot ; were you down stairs when you 
were shot ? 

Answer — Yes, 

981. Question — You went up stairs after you were shot and voted ? 
Answer — Yes. 

982. Question — Did you see a keg of whisky up there ? 
Answer — No. 

On motion, the Committee, at 11 A. M., adjourned to meet Monday, 
June 28, at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, June 28, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business — Mr. 
Wright acting Chairman. 

Sampson Duncan, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

983. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

984. Question — How long did you live in this County prior to the 
late general election ? 

Answer — About three years. 

985. Question — At what box did you go to vote at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Here at Abbeville C. H. 

986. Question — Did you vote? 
Answer — Yes. 

987. Question — How far did you live from Abbeville C. H. ? 
Answer — About 15 or 16 miles. 

988. Question — Was there any box nearer than the court house ? 
Answer — No. 

989. Question — Do you know of any intimidations or threats made in 
the settlement in which you lived whereby any person or persons were 
prevented from voting as they saw fit ? 

Answer — A great many. 

990. Question — What kind of threats ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 395 



Answer — They said if they went they should not live on their places. 

991. Question — Who said that? 

Answer — The Widow Armstrong and Wm. Duncan (the man I lived 
with) ; they said if any of the blacks came they should not stay on their 
places. Notwithstanding this, I came. 

992. Question — Do you, or do you not, know if any of the people on 
his or her place came and voted ? 

Answer — I do not know of any that voted. 

993. Question — Do you know anything about a band of armed men, 
traveling through the County, known as Ku Klux or Bushwackers ? 

Answer — I have heard of them ; but never saw them. 

994. Question — Do you know anything in relation to the shooting of 
Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — No ; I only heard of it. 

995. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You said that Widow Armstrong 
and Wra. Duncan threatened to tui-n off the colored people living on 
their lands, if they voted at the election ; how do you know they made 
such threats ? 

Answer — Mr. Wm. Duncan said to me that if I voted I should not 
work his land. I was sitting near Mrs. Armstrong when she told Harry 
if he went and voted he should quit her plantation. 

996. Question — Were you hired to Mr. Duncan, or tending his farm 
on share of crop ? 

Answer — I was working on shares, and when he said this I quit and 
went to the man I live with now, Mr. Bennett Low. 

997. Question — How many colored men were there living on Mr. Dun- 
can's place, old enough to vote ? 

Answer — None but me. 

998. Question — How many on Widow Armstrong's place ? 
Answer — I think there were two. 

999. Question — Do you know that those two colored persons on Widow 
Armstrong's place did not vote ? 

Answer — No. 

1000. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You said Wm. Duncan told you 
he would turn you off if you voted ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1001. Question — If you voted, how ? 
Answer — The Radical ticket. 

1002. Question — Did you vote the Radical ticket? 
Answer — Yes. 

1003. Question — Did Mr. Duncan turn you off after you voted? 
Answer — No ; he said I shouldn't work his land, and I left. 

Aaron Mitchell, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1004. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes, sir. 

1005. Question — In what part of the County do you live ? 
Answer — In this place. 

1006. Question — How long have you resided in the County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 



396 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1007. Question — Do you know anything of the killing of Mr. B. F. 
Randolph ? 

Answer— I do, sir. 

1008. Question — Please state what you know about it? 

Answer — Mr. Thomas Williamson and I were out on the public plat- 
form, at Hodges' Depot. Williamson said : " Go in and wish Mr. Ran- 
dolph well." We Avent into the ears, and wished him farewell, and he 
thanked us for going down AAath him. (I went from here with him.) Mr. 
Randolph then said to Mr. Williamson : " Have you sent the message back 
by Mr. Mitchell to Mr. Lomax ?" The message was something concern- 
ing the school. Williamson said : " No, I am going to send it back now." 
Mr. Randolph answers : " I had a message to send back myself," and 
he rose from his seat, and walked to the end door. I stepped in the door, 
and leaned against the facing on the left hand side going out, Mr. Wil- 
liamson just inside, with one hand on the door shutter. As he got 
through with his message, Mr. Randolph stepped out of the car on the 
brakeman's platform, and turned around and called me, and said : 
" Mitchell, do you tell," and before he finished the sentence the three 
pistols fired, and he fell. 

1009. Question — In Avhose hands were those pistols ? 

Answer — Wm. Talbert and Joshua Logan I knew, but the third man 
I didn't know until he got on his horse; his name was John Wesley Tal- 
bert. 

1010. Question— Did they all fire? 

Answer — Yes ; all about the same time ; the first two fires apj^eared 
like a double fire. The men then walked right off, and as they went on 
past a store, seventy-five or one hundred yards, two gentlemen looked 
out of the store house door and said to the party: " Did you get him?" 
Wm. Talbert raised his hand and said : " By God, we have got him." 

1011. Question — Whose store-house was this? 

Answer — James Cochran. I didn't know either of the men that looked 
out. 

1012. Question — Was there a store kept in that building where those 
men looked out ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1013. Question — Who kept the store ? 

Answer — I don't know. Cochran didn't keep the store. 

1014. Question — After Mr. Randolph was shot, what did you do? 
Answer — I ran down to him, and stood over and found him dead, then 

stepped back to where he W'as shot, and looked and saw the men ride off. 

1015. Question — Was he shot while on the platform of the car? 
Answer — Yes ; on the brakeman's platform. After the men rode off" 

I went down to him again, and stood over him but a minute, and as I 
came up I met Mr. Fletcher Hodges. He asked me : " What is this ?" 
I said : " They have shot that man ;" and he said : " What man?" I said : 
" Mr. Randolph." He said : " Who shot him ?" I said : " Those three 
men riding ofi' yonder," (pointing to them.) He said : "Who are they?" 
I said : " It is not worth while to ask me ; the men are known, and there 
is not a man here but knows them." He said : " AVell, you had better 
mind how you talk ; you don't know whether they are known or not." 
Mr. Hodges then walked down to Mr. Randolph's body. I followed him. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 397 



He said : " Yesterday you boasted, and thanked your God, that negro 
blood run through your veins, but now it is running on the ground." I 
replied : " There are more men got blood in them than him." He said : 
" You had better mind how you talk, or you will get popped over." I 
said : " You may start my blood in the same stream ; it makes no differ- 
ence to me." At this time Langdon Conner came to me, took me by the 
arm and said: " Aaron, you come away from here and shut your mouth, 
or some of them will hurt you." I gave way to him and went off a-piece, 
and I returned to Mr. Randolph, and took his blank book out of his 
pocket. Pompey Davis stepped up and ordered me to let it alone. I 
said : " I reckon I can take his watch ;" and he made me leave that 
alone. I then walked up to the place he was shot, and picked up his 
hat, and they made me put that down ; and then I went off to find the 
conductor, to get permission to bring his body to this place. After some 
time I found him, and I got four colored men to help me put him in, but 
the crowd would not let me touch him ; and then I took the cars, and 
returned here. 

1016. Question — How near were you standing to him when he Avas 
shot ? 

Answer — Within one and a half feet. The blood, at the time he was 
shot, flew out of his nose into my face. 

1017. Question — Who was the next nearest person? 
Answer — Mr. Williamson. 

1018. Question — About how near was he ? 
Answer — About three feet from him. 

1019. Question — Who was the next person nearest to him ? 
Answer — Mr. Fletcher Hodges. 

1020. Question — About how near was he? 

Answer — About the length of the platform (forty feet) ; he was the 
first man I spoke to after Mr. Randolph was shot. 

1021. Question — How many persons, aside from Mr. Williamson and 
Fletcher Hodges, were on the platform with whom you are acquainted ? 

Answer — There were only two persons on the platform when the shooting 
was done, that I saw ; one was Mr. Hodges, the other my daughter — she 
was within ten feet of him. 

1022. Question — How many white persons were around there that you 
were acquainted with ? 

Answer — Some six or eight. 

1023. Question — Can you name them ? 

Answer — Yes ; James Cochran, Langdon Conner, Pompey Davis, 
David Glymph, George Cyprus and Toney Hammonds. 

1024. Question— How near to the place where Mr. Randolph was shot 
were the above mentioned persons ? 

Answer — They were scattered from twenty feet to thirty yards. 

1025. Question — About how many persons were there in the crowd at 
the depot ? 

Answer — Between thirty and fifty persons. 

1026. Question — Was it an unusual large gathering ? 

Answer — Yes ; and it Avas a singular gathering ; the gathering came 
there during the time the cars were taking in water. 



398 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1027. Question — At tlie time that the cars were taking in water, did 
you witness any strange movements ? and if so, state what they were. 

Answer — I got out of the car, and Avas going to my mother's house ; 
and after going about forty steps, I looked around and saw a white man 
coming towards the cars ; and after going about twenty steps farther, I 
looked around again, and he had turned back in a run ; but I didn't 
think anything particularly about it, and continued on. I then went 
into my mother's, stayed there 5 or 10 minutes, and when I came out, 
there were between twenty-five and fifty men there. 

1028. Question — Had the cars at that time returned to the depot from 
the pump ? 

Answer — Yes ; were standing there. 

1029. Question — Were there any attempts made, by any person or per- 
sons around there, to stop those men that shot Mr. Randoli^h ? 

Answer — None at all. 
• 1030. Question — Did they have horses ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1031. Question— Were they hitched? 
Answer — Yes. 

1032. Question — About how far were they hitched from the place 
where Mr. Randolph was shot ? 

Answer — About 120 yards. 

1033. Question — Where were they hitched? 

Answer — At the edge of Mr. (yochran's store-house yard, the same 
store-house where those men looked out. 

1034. Question — Did you make any attempt to stop these men, at the 
time they shot Mr. Randolph ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1035. Question — What was the attempt? 

Answer — I was standing leaning on my stick as the pistols fired ; I 
put my hand in my coat pocket, drew my pistol, cocked it and aimed it 
at Josh Logan. He dodged low down, and the two Talbert's turned side- 
ways and said : " Let him shoot, I will fix him." At this, I put my pis- 
tol back in ray pocket, and went back into the car. 

1036. Question — Have you ever attended any political meetings at this 
place ? 

Answer — Yes, sir. 

1037. Question — Have you heard Republican speeches made here. 
Answer — Yes. 

1038. Question — By whom. 

Answer — Mr. Wright and Mr. Randolph. 

1039. Question — What was the character of Mr. Randolph's speech ; 
was it mild and conciliatory or inflammatory ? 

Answer — It Avas mild. 

1040. Question — Had he been speaking here at the time you accom- 
panied him to the depot where he was shot ? 

Answer — Yes ; he spoke here the day before. 

1041. Question — Did you hear any threats made against him previous 
to that time ? and if so, state what. 

Answer — I did not. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 399 



1042. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Had you noticed tlie two Talberts 
and Logan before the pistols were fired ? 

Answer — No, sir. 

1043. Question — How far were they standing from Mr. Randolph 
when they fired ? 

Answer — About six or eight feet. 

1044. Question — Were they standing on the depot platform or on the 
ground ? 

Answer — On the ground. 

1045. Question — Did you see them immediately after the firing 
occurred ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1046. Question — Did they all have pistols in their hands ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1047. Question — What kind of pistols were they ? 
Answer — Six-shooter navy pistols. 

1048. Question — Whereabouts did the balls hit Mr. Randolph? 
Answer — One in the temple, one in the breast, and one in the side. 

1049. Question — Did they turn around and go ofi" immediately ? 
Answer — Yes ; the only time they stopped was when I drew my pistol 

on Logan. 

1050. Question — Did they back off with their pistols in their hands. 
Answer — Yes ; walked about ten or fifteen steps with them in their 

hands, and then they commenced picking oft* the old caps, and when they 
got about fifty yards they put up their pistols. 

1051. Question — What were your reasons for not telling Mr. Hodges 
the names of those persons when he asked you ? 

Answer — Fear. 

1052. Question — Of whom were you afraid ? 
Answer — Of the whole crowd standing around. 

1053. Question — What were your reasons for being afraid of the 
crowd ? 

Answer — Because I thought it would come against the persons, and 
they, knowing I would be a witness against them, w^ould put me out of 
the way, and I remained under the same fear for five months. I never 
told it to any person except Capt. Hubbard ; I told him the same even- 
ing Mr. Randolph was shot. 

1054. Question — Did the crowd at Hodges' Depot make any demonstra- 
tion, showing that they were in sympathy with the men that shot Ran- 
dolph ? 

Answer — I don't kuow that they did ; after ten or fifteen minutes I 
became so excited that I didn't know what was done. 

1055. Question — Do you know whether there was any inquest held 
over Mr. Randolph's body ? 

Answer — I do not know. The next morning I went back with a cofiin. 
When I reached Hodges' Depot, I saw a crowd coming up Avith a coffin 
on the platform ; as the cars passed down I stepped out with my coflin, 
and went to the man that made the cofiin that Mr. Randolph's body was 
in, and inquired of him had they held an inquest ; he answered he didn't 
know, but was told they had. They had it expressed to Orangeburg ; I 
ordered it to be sent to Columbia. 



400 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1056. Question — Were there many persons on the ti"ain going from 
here to Hodges' Depot the afternoon you went with Mr. Randolph ? 

Answer — Not many. 

1057. Question — Do you know whether Mr. Randolph had any misun- 
derstanding with any person on the train going to Hodges' Depot' that 
day? 

Answer — No ; he spoke with no one from here to Cokesbury but Mr. 
"Williamson and I. 

1058. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — In answer to a question by Mr. 
Wright, you said that those three men, after shooting Randolj^h, walked 
past Cochran's store, and two men were looking out of the store-house 
door, Avho asked : "Did you get him?" do you know those two men ? 

Answer — No ; I saw only their heads and hands. 

1059. Question — Would you recognize them again if you saw them ? 
Answer — I don't know that I would. 

1060. Question — Did you notice, at the time Mr. Randolph was shot, 
any person or persons on the other side of the car ? 

Answer — I saw three men. 

1061. Question — Do you know them ? 

Answer — No, they were just starting ofl' as I saw them. 

1062. Question — How close were they to the cars ? 
Answer — About twenty feet. 

1063. Question — Were they armed ? 

Answer — I don't know ; those three men went in an opposite direction 
from the crowd. 

1064. Question — You stated that those three men that shot Mr. Ran- 
dolph had their horses hitched at the edge of Cochran's store-house yard ; 
did you notice whether there were other horses hitched there ? 

Answer — There were five horses hitched, but close to theirs. 

1065. Question — Prior to Mr. Randolph's being shot, you saw a man 
coming towards the train, and he turned back in a run ; was he walking 
when coming towards you ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1066. Question — Could you recognize that man if you saw him again? 
Answer — No. 

1067. Question — Whom were you talking to when he was coming? 
Answer — To no person. 

1068. Question — Do you know where Mr. Randolph was at the time 
the man was coming ? 

Answer — He and Mr. Williamson were standing in the side door of 
the car, with their hands on the iron above the door. 

1069. Question — About how near to the train did this man come ? 
Answer — To within about twenty yards. 

1070. Question — Was it possible for this man to see Mr. Randolph 
and recognize him ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1071. Question — Do you know of any other outrages committed in 
this County prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes, I was threatened at this place. 

1072. Question — Please give us a statement of the nature of the 
threat ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C, 401 



Answer — On the day of the Presidential election Mr. Wm, Hill came 
to me, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and inquired of me what I was 
doing. I said I was distributing ray tickets. He said : " What right 
have you to do it." I said : " Some man has it to do." He said : 
" There are Republican and Democrat tickets on the table near the 
Managers, and why don't you let every man come in here and get his 
ticket ?" I said : " I didn't know there were any Republican tickets in 
there." He said : " Yes, but I know it." I said: " I have been in pos- 
session of these Republican tickets ever since they came from Columbia, 
and have not given out any of them, only as I give them to men to cast." 
He said : " Well, sir, I can tell you something : you are putting yourself 
in opposition to the whole Democratic party, and you can't stand all of 
us ; and why didn't Hutson Lomax come and do this?" I said : " He is 
sick." He said : " No, he was afraid to do it, and I tell you, sir, I would 
not give two chickens for your life ; you are in danger." At this time a 
gentleman called him and begged him to hush, as he was doing himself 
harm." 

1073. Question — Were you here the day Mr. ]\Iartin was killed ? 
Answer — Yes ; I saw him when he started from here. 

1074. Question — From what place did he start? 

Answer — I saw him get on his horse about the centre of the square. 

1075. Question — Did you notice anything unusual that day? 
Answer — Yes ; I noticed Mr. Talbert standing at Mr. Jones' bar-room 

door, and two colored men came to me, one of whom was raised Avith Mr. 
Talbert, and the other was a close neighbor, and one says : " There i.s 
Bill Talbert, who shot Jeff about two weeks ago, and nobody will arrest 
liim." 1 stood and looked at him for some time. The next time I saw 
him he was down on the back street, near the Episcopal Church, sitting 
on his horse (this was in the evening) with two other men who I did not 
know. I went into my house and stayed about half an hour, and as I 
came out they rode off in a gallop, and after that I heard Mr. Martin 
was killed. 

107G. Question — About what hour in the evening Avas it that those 
three men rode out of town ? 

Answer — The sun was about an hour or an hour and a half high. 

1077. Question — In which direction did they go? 
Answer — In the direction Mr. Martin lived. 

1078. Question — What length of time was it prior to those three men 
riding out of town that Mr. Martin left? 

Answer — Not very long. 

1079. Question — You say you recognized one as Wm. Talbert ? 
Answer — Yes ; I noticed him distinctly. 

] 080. Question — What kind of a horse did he ride ? 
Answer — A common bay horse. 

1081. Question — What was the color of his clothes? 

Answer — A dark sack coat and brown pants, and he had two pistols to 
his side. 

1082. Question — Did you notice how those other two men were dressed ? 
AnsAver — I did not. 

1083. Question — AVere they riding mules or horses? 

Answer — Dark looking horses. The reason I noticed Talbert so par- 
51 



402 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ticularly was that I thought myself in danger, from the desperate char- 
acter of the man. 

1084. Question — Do you know one Joe Davis? 
Answer — Yes ; well acquainted with him. 

1085. Question — Was he here the day Martin was killed ? 
Answer — Yes ; I had a conversation with him that day. 

1086. Question — Did you see him in company Avith Talbert that day? 
Answer — He was in the bar-room, at the time Talbert was at the door. 

It was his brother-in-law's bar-room, and he was generally there on public 
days like that. 

John McCalla, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

1087. Question — Are you a resident of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1088. Question — How long have you lived here ? 
Answer — Sixteen years. 

1089. Question — In what portion of the County do you live ? 
Answer — Eastern portion ; about twenty-two miles from here. 

1090. Question — What is the voting precinct ? 
Answer — Lowndesville. 

1091. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed in this 
County, preceding and at the late general election ? 

Answer — I know nothing myself. 

109^. Question — Did you vote at the last general election ? 

Answer — I did not ; I was not old enough. 

1093. Question — Were you present at any voting precinct? 
Answer — Yes ; at Lowndesville. 

1094. Question — Was there any disturbance, on the day of election, at 
that place ? 

Answer — Not while I was there, and I don't think there was any. 

1095. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Is there or is there not any political 
organization in your vicinity ? 

Answer — Two last fall ; one Union League, and the other the Dem- 
ocratic Club. 

1096. Question — Were you a member of either one of those organiza- 
tions ? 

Answer — I was not. 

1097. Question — Do you know of any resolution passed by the Dem- 
ocratic Club there in relation to the non-employment of any person or 
persons who voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — None that I know of, and I don't think there were any 
passed. 

1098. Question — Do you or do you not know of any persons in your 
vicinity who threatened colored people, that if they didn't vote the Dem- 
ocratic ticket they would be turned off from their places ? 

Answer — I do not know of any such threats being made. 

1099. Question — Were you in town on the public day that Mr. Martin 
Avas shot ? 

Answer — I was not. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 403 



1100. Question — Do you know anything of the shooting of Mr. B. F. 
Randolph ? 

Answer — I know nothing about it. 

1101. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — At the late general election, were 
you at the polls ? 

Answer — I was. 

1102. Question — Were you armed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1103. Question — What reasons had you for going to the polls armed ? 
Answer — Mr. Briscoe had threatened my father's life, and other citizens 

of the County, and we heard that he was to be there that day ? 

1104. Question — Is Briscoe a white or colored man? 
Answer — A white man. 

1105. Question — Why was your father's life threatened ? 

Answer — Because he would not countenance Briscoe, and spoke to him 
about his conduct. 

1106.' Question — What was the conduct of Briscoe that your father 
didn't countenance? 

Answer — He would go to men's plantations and rob the colored men 
thereon of their property, and when he would meet up with one, and 
thought he was a Radical, he would try to make a fuss to kill him. 

1107. Question — Did your father vote at the election? 
Answer — I am not sure ; but I think he did. 

1108. Question— Do you know what ticket he voted ? 

Answer — No; he was no party man, and said he couldn't belong to 
either party. 

1109. Question (by Mr. Wright) — As you state that your father had 
spoken to Briscoe, and counseled him to cease these violent depredations 
that he wtis committing upon the people, and that he was angry with him, 
and had threatened his life, that was the reason you went to the polls 
with your pistol ? 

Answer — Yes ; against Briscoe and other men of a like character. 

1110. Question — Then, from that, your father went to the polls that 
day? 

Answer — Yes ; but he not being a party man, I don't know what ticket 
he voted. 

1111. Question — Would you please state some of the outrages and 
depredations that were going on in that part of the County, that caused 
your father to counsel peace ? 

Answer — Briscoe went to men's plantations, and robbed them and 
abused them. 

1112. Question — Do you know anything of the killing of some peddlers 
at or near Lowndesville ? 

Answer — They were killed ; but I know nothing of it. 

1113. Question — Were they white or colored men? 
Answer — One was white, the others colored men. 

1114. Question — Were they citizens of this County? 
Answer — No ; they were citizens of Georgia. 

1115. Question — On the day of election at the polls were there many 
persons armed ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge ; there might have been. 



404 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1116. Question — With what party do you affiliate? 
Answer — With neither. 

1117. Question — You stated that you didn't think that a resolution, 
the subject matter of which was the non-employment of persons who 
voted the Radical ticket, was passed at the Democratic Club. What 
reasons can you assign for your belief? 

Answer — Because I heard men that belonged to the Democratic party 
say that they didn't think it would be right. 

On motion, the Committee adjourned, to meet at 8 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

ft 

George Matthews, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1118. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1119. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born and bred here. 

1120. Question — In what part of the County do you live? 

Answer — In eastern portion, about eighteen miles from the court house. 

1121. Question — 'What is the name of the voting-box near you ? 
Answer — Phoenix box ; I live three miles from there. 

1122. Question — On whose plantation do you live? 
Answer — Stanley Brooks', Jr. 

1123. Question — Did you vote on the day of the general election ? 
Answer — No. 

1124. Question— Why ? 

Answer — Had I went to vote that day I would have been a dead man. 

1125. Question — Did any one threaten to kill you if you voted that 
day ? 

Answer — Yes, sir. 

1126. Question — What kind of threats were made? 

Answer — If I put a Radical ticket in that day I Avould be a dead 
man. 

1127. Question — By whom were those tlireats made? 

Answer — Fletcher Hutchinson ; the man's brother who shot me ? 

1128. Question — Do I understand some one shot you ? 
Answer — Yes, Erwin Hutchinson shot me, before the election ? 

1129. Question — What did he shoot you for? 

AnsAver — Because I was a leading man in the Republican party ? 

1130. Question — Please state the circumstances relating to the shoot- 
ing ? 

Answer — Erwin Hutchinson said if he killed me that he would get all 
the rest to be Democrats. I mean, the rest of the colored men over 
which I presided in the Republican Club. He came in the field with a 
club in his hand, while I was hoeing cotton. He asked me where Avas 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 405 



that note I brought from Maj. DeKnight to him, and I told him that 
'Squire Chipley had it ; and the moment I told him that, he put his hand 
in his jwcket, and drew his pistol with his left hand and shot me ; the 
ball entered the right breast and went through, and is visible under the 
skin on the left side. He aimed to shoot again, and I jumped and 
caught the pistol, and held the pistol until 'Squire Chipley walked a 
quarter of a mile, and came and took the pistol away ; and Hutchinson 
said he was an independent man, and that he was sorry he done it, but 
he was independent. 

1131. Question — Do you know of any tlireats made against any per- 
son that kept then from voting ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1182. Question — Please state what threats you know of? 

Answer — On the day of the general election, at White Hall, John 
Butler mounted his horse and came to Phoenix, where I had to vote, and 
ordered the men to draw their pistols, but they didn't draw them. Capt. 
McKellar, one of the Managers, got up and stamped his foot, and told 
them to behave themselves, and they did. After this, no colored people 
voted, and twelve went oft' with me to guard me, to keep them from kill- 
ing me. This Erwin Plutchinson, the same night of the election, fol- 
lowed me to my house, and shot at the house, for me to run out, but I 
didn't come out ; there were men in there guarding me. 

1133. Question — "When that man came to your house did you recog- 
nize any one with him ? 

Answer — Yes ; one, a colored man, was named Josh Hutchinson, and 
a Avhite man named Lummy Forshee. 

1134 Question — What did they do after they fired and you didn't 
come out ? 

Answer — They went off. 

1135. Question — Have you had any difficulty since that? 

Answer — I had to leave my house and lay out for six months after I 
was shot. 

1136. Question — Do you know anything in relation to the killing 
of any person ? 

Answer — I know a colored man Avho was killed, out by Mrs. Mar- 
shall's, on the new cut road ; his name was Reuben Scott ; and the same 
night, Cosey Marshall, an old man, was taken out of his house ; they 
beat him almost to death. 

1137. Question — Do you know any of the parties that killed Reuben 
Scott ? 

Answer — All I know is what I heard. 

1138. Question — Do you know any of the parties that beat Cosey 
Marshall ? 

Answer — All I know is what I heard. 

1139. Question — Did you or did you not see any of the blows upon 
the man that was beaten ? 

Answer — I saw him the next morning ; he was beaten so badly that he 
was hauled from his house to his daughter's. 

1140. Question — Did you see the man that was killed ? 
Answer — No ; I heard he was killed. 



406 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1141. Question (by Mr. Wright)— You stated that Cosey Marshall 
was badly whipped ; how do you know he was badly whipped ? 

Answer — Because I saw it ; I Avas near enough to hear the blows. 

1142. Question — How near were you ? 
Answer — Within two hundred yards. 

1143. Question — Did you know they were whipping him ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1144. Question — Did you see the persons that were whipping him? 
Answer — No ; I was afraid to go too close. 

1145. Question — Did this circumstance occur before the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1146. Question — Do you know of any other person or persons being 
whipped ? 

Answer — No. 

Abram Morris, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1147. Question — Are you a resident of this County? and if so, hoAV 
long have you resided here ? 

Answer — I Avas born and bred in this County, and lived here all my 
life. 

1148. Question — In what settlement do you now live ? 
Answer — White Hall. 

1149. Question — How far from the court house? 
Answer — About eleven miles. 

1150. Question — Were you living there prior to and at the late gen- 
eral election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1151. Question — Do you know of any outrages said to have been 
committed prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — My reasons for not voting are : I was living out by myself ; 
the gentleman I was living with told me that I had better stay at home ; 
that as long as I stayed home he would be a protection to me, but if I 
went outside of his bounds he couldn't protect me. There has been so 
much meanness done in the neighborhood, that it alarmed me, and that 
was the cause of my not going to the box. I took the gentleman I was 
living with to be a friend of mine, and took his advice and stayed at 
home. 

1152. Question — What was your nearest voting box? 
Answer — White Hall. 

T. B. Milford, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

1153. Question — How long have you been a resident of this County? 
Answer — Born and raised in this County ; I am 52 years old. 

1154. Question — Were you here, during the few months immediately 
preceding the late general election? 

Answer — Yes. 

1155- Question — Do you know anything of the outrages committed in 
this County, preceding and at the late general election ? 



THIKD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 407 



Answer — Nothing personally. 

1156. Question — Where did you vote on the day of the general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — At Treble's box. 

1157. Q,uestion — Was there any disturbance at that box, on the day 
of election? 

Answer — There was not ; it was as quiet a day as ever I saw at the 
polls. I had been Manager at that box, for twelve years. There were no 
Republican tickets polled there, because the tickets were not there. The 
Republican voters were there, and stayed perhaps two hours. Had the 
tickets been there, there would have been from fifty to seventy-five Re- 
publican votes polled. 

1159. Question — Was it your intention to take an active part in the 
late general election ? 

Answer — It was my intention when I left Columbia. 

1160. Question — Did you change your intentions? and, if so, why ? 
Answer — I did, on account of the tremendous pressure. 

1161. Question — What was this pressure that you speak of? 
Answer — On my return from Columbia, I found a general disposition, 

on the part of my old fi-iends, to treat me with contempt. 

1162. Question — The treatment which you received, at the hands of 
your old friends, caused you to deviate from the course Avhich you in- 
tended to have pursued ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1163. Question — Did you eventually take an active part in the elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — I did not. 

1164. Question — After you saw the disposition of those who were your 
old friends manifested towards you, did you or did you not conclude not 
to vote at all ? 

Answer — I did. 

1165. Question — Did you vote ? 
Answer — I did. 

1166. Question — Why did you change again ? 

Answer — Because my old friend. General Black, became a candidate 
for the Legislature. 

1167. Question — On what ticket did he run ? 
Answer — Democratic. 

1168. Question — Were you more interested in his election than in the 
election of Grant and Colfax ? 

Answer — Not at all ; I knew that election was a foregone conclusion. 

1169. Question — You have stated that there Avere no Republican 
tickets at the poll at which you voted. Now, Avill you state the reason, if 
you know, why there were none there ? 

Answer — I cannot give the reason. 

1170. Question — Who usually took charge of the Republican tickets 
here? 

Answer — Mr. Lomax. 

1171. Question — Was there not at that time a very bitter feeling mani- 
fested towards the Republicans, by the opposite party ? 

Answer — Most assuredly. 



408 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1172. Question — What was the general rumor, concerning the cause 
of the death of Mr. Martin in this County ? 

Answer — I can't say what the general impression was ; my own is that 
he was murdered on account of his political principles. 

1173. Question — Are you a member of the General Assembly of this 
State? 

Answer — I am. 

1174. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you in town the day Mr. 
Martin was killed ? 

Answer — I was. 

1175. Question — Do you know anything concerning the murder? 
Answer — Nothing personally ; I have never seen such a bitter feeling 

among the people as there was here on that day. On the day of the 
murder, as I was proceeding home, a kinsman overtook me, about one mile 
from the village, and said to me ; he thought there would be a serious 
difficulty in the village that evening ; that a man by the name of Martin 
had bought a barrel of whisky in Columbia, and had brought it to 
Abbeville, to buy negro votes with, and that they were endeavoring to 
make up a crowd, when he left, to knock the head out of the barrel of 
whisky, and that he was solicited to join the croAvd. 

1176. Question — Do you know where this whisky was purchased? 
Answer — Yes, in Columbia, at auction, from Peixotto & Son ; it was 

purchased jointly by Mr. Martin, Mr. Dusenberry, and myself. 

1177. Q.uestion — What was the name of this man that spoke to you 
about the crowd getting up to destroy Martin's whisky ? 

Answer — Calvin Alevine. 

1178. Question — Did he make known to you the parties that were try- 
ing to get up this crowd ? 

Answer — He did not. 

1179. Question — Did Alevine continue on with you, or did he return 
to town ? 

Answer — He, with three others, who overtook me afterwards, continued 
up the road about ten miles with me, (it was on their route home,) and 
continued until their road left mine, 

1180. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that the whisky spoken 
of was purchased in Columbia ; how do you know it was purchased in Co- 
lumbia ? 

Answer — I was not present when Mr. Martin bought it, but on his re- 
turn from the auction to the legislative hall, he asked Mr. Dusenberry 
and myself if we would take a portion of a barrel of whisky he had 
just bought at auction from Mr. Peixotto. 

1181. Question— Then, you and Mr. Dusenberry had a share in that 
barrel of Avhisky ? 

Answer — Yes, it was the agreement that I was to take half of the 
whisky, and I paid for half of it. The reason why I did not get half of 
it was, when it arrived at Abbeville, I could not get a vessel to put so 
much in. 

1182. Question — Was this whisky purchased for your private use. 
Answer — It was, and for nothing else. 

On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned to meet to-morrow, at 
9 A. M. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 409 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, June 29, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met, at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business — Mr. 
Wright acting Chairman. 

Larkin Reynolds, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

1183. Question — Are you a resident of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1184. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — About fifty-six years. 

1185. Question — In what portion of the County do you reside? 
Answer — About one and three-quarter miles from White Hall — six- 
teen miles from this place. 

1186. Question — Is White Hall a voting precinct ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1187. Question — Do you know of any outrages that were committed 
in this County preceding or during tlie late general election ? 

Answer — I know of nothing that happened previous to the general 
election. 

1188. Question — Where were you on the day of the late general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — At White Hall ; got there about half-past 9 or 10 o'clock 
A. M. 

1189. Question — Was there any disturbance at the polls at White 
Hall on the day of election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1190. Question — Please state the nature of the disturbance. 
Answer — I was very unwell, and sat outside of the piazza near a fire, 

warming my feet. I heard a little fuss, and turned my head to see what 
was the matter ; I discovered, about that time, a yellow man, named 
Iverson, and a white man in holds. Iverson had the Avhite inan by the 
wrist, and the white man had hold of Iverson with his hands around his 
"waist. At that time a man I raised, named Allen Good, caught them 
both and jerked them out of the piazza; about the time they struck the 
ground a pistol fired ; the ball brushed my hair ; that pistol was fired 
from the direction in which the black people stood, but who fired it I 
cannot say ; I don't know whether it was a white man or a black man. 
I ran out to stop the difiiculty, and said to them, " Gentlemen, there is 
no need of a fuss here, and for God's sake stop it." About that time a 
pistol was fired from the direction in which the white men stood, and the 
ball came so near to my ear that I put my hand to my ear three times to 
see wiiether I had been shot, as it burned badly. When that pistol fired 
they commenced firing indiscriminately from both sides, the balls passing 
on both sides of me. I retreated back behind a house, and therefore 

62 



410 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



could not see who fired the shots. After the fracas was over, and the 
negroes had run off, I saw Dr. W. H. Watson with a gun in his hand. 
He said (to those men who had their horses going to pursue the niggers) : 
" You must all stop ;" and they did stop. I had never known any of 
those white men concerned in the difficulty to vote there at previous 
elections. 

1191. Question — Did you vote at that election? 
Answer — I did ; I voted the Democratic ticket. 

1192. Question — Did you see any colored jDcrsons vote at White Hall ? 
Answer — I did not ; two or three went in ; but I don't know whether 

they voted or not. 

1193. Question — How many colored persons were there on that day? 
Answer — I think about sixty-five or seventy. 

1194. Question — Do you know whether those colored persons voted or 
did not vote ? 

Answer — I cannot say ; I saw none of them return. 

1195. Question— Do you know whether they had voted before they 
left ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

1196. Question — Do you know whether those colored men were driven 
off* by the white people, in order to pi'event them from voting. 

Answer — I cannot say. 

1197. Question — Did you see any white person at White Hall, on the 
day of election, with arras. 

Answer — The only gun I saw was Watson's. There was another gun 
standing on the piazza when I went there, and was there when I left. 

1198. Question — Did you see any colored people armed? 

Answer — I did not ; I know that one of tlie colored men ( Washingtoti 
Green) working on my place, was very badly shot on that day. 

1199. Question — Did you belong to any political organization at the 
time of the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes ; to the White Hall Democratic Club. 

1200. Question — Were you an officer in that Club? 
Answer — One of the Vice-Presidents. 

1201. Q.uestion — Were there any resolutions passed by that Club, the 
subject matter of which was, that Radicals should not be employed as 
laborers for the next year ? 

Answer — There was ; this resolution was passed at the time when there 
was not a full meeting ; at the next meeting, or a meeting after, they 
brought up the matter and rescinded it, as they said they didn't think it 
could be carried out, and it was not proper to pass such a resolution. 

1202. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — How long was it from the time that 
this resolution was passed until it was rescinded ? 

Answer — I don't think it was more than three weeks. 

1203. Question — Had it, or had it not, been generally circulated over 
that portion of the country, that such a resolution had passed ? 

Answer — I cannot say ; I Avas not at the meeting when the resolution 
passed. 

1204. Question — How long was it after the passage of the resoulution 
before you was in possession of the fact ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 411 



Answer — I think some time during the week ; I think at our next 
meeting on a Saturday ; we went every Saturday. 

1205. Question — Do you, or do you not, know of any colored man 
that had been told that such a resolution had passed the Club ? 

Answer — I do not. 

1206. Question — Was it, or was it not, generally circulated over that 
portion of the County, that such a resolution had passed the Club and 
was rescmded ? 

Answer — I cannot say. 

1207. Question — Do you not know that the object in passing such a 
resolution was to intimidate the colored people from voting as they felt 
disposed ? 

Answer — I do not know the object. 

1208. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What time Avasthe poll opened at 
White Hall, on the day of election ? 

Answer — I don't know. I got there at 10 o'clock A. M . 

1209. Question — How long did you remain at the poll ? 
Answer — From 10 A. M. to about 1 P. M. 

1210. Question — About what number of white persons were at the 
poll r 

Answ^er — Judging from the croAvd, one hundred and twenty-five or one 
hundred and fifty. The whites had largely the ascendency. 

1211. Question — Do you know whether these white men voted? 
Answer — I cannot say. 

1212. Question (by Mr. Wright) — What physician did you call iu to 
examine the wound of Washington Green ? 

Answer — Dr. John W. Ligon. 

1213. Question — Did you see Dr. Taggart that day? 
Answer — Yes. 

1214. Question— At the polls ? 

Answer — I saw him walking about in the crowd. 

1215. Question — Did you see John Butler ? 
Answer — I did. 

1216. Question — Was he engaged in this fracas? 
Answer — If he was I don't know it. 

1217. Question— Was Dr. Taggart ? 
Answer — I didn't see him engaged in it. 

1218. Question — Did you have any conversation with Dr. Taggart or 
Butler that day ? 

Answer — I don't remember ; I merely spoke to them. 

1219. Question— Was it before or after the shooting took place ? 
Answer — I saw them both before and after. 

1220. Question — About how many shots were fired ? 
Answer— I should think from forty to sixty. 

1221. Question — Did the colored people begin to leave during the 
firing ? 

Answer — They did, and in a hurry? 

1222. Question — About how many were in the crowd that started to 
pursue the colored people ? 

Answer — Some five or six. Some of them brought up their horses, and 



412 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Dr. AVatson went out with his gun, and told them they should not pur- 
sue. 

1223. Question — You have already stated, I believe, that there were 
between sixty and seventy ? 

Answer — Yes ; I don't think there were more than seventy-five, at the 
outside. 

1224. Question — Please tell us about what hour in the day it was 
when this fracas occurred and the colored peojile left ? 

Answer — About 10:30 or 11 o'clock A. M. The fracas didn't last more 
than half a minute. 

1225. Question — You stated that two or three colored persons went in 
the room at the polls ; was this before or after the fracas? 

Answer — After ; I saw none go in before. 

1226. Question — Were those two or three persons there at the time 
the fracas took place ? 

Answer — I cannot say. 

1227. Question — Were you a Manager of Elections prior to the Avar? 
and, if so, how long? 

Answer — For twelve years. 

1228. Question — Are you not, then, acquainted with most of the white 
voters in your vicinity ? 

Answer — At the time I was Manager, I was well acquainted witli all 
the voters. Since the war, many young men have grown up that I do 
not know now. 

1229. Question — Were there not persons there that day that did not 
belong to that vicinity ? 

Answer — There were a great many there I never saw before, and have 
not seen them there since. 

1230. Question — Have you been Manager of Election since the war? 
Answer — I was appointed Manager at the last election, and had the 

Registration Books. 

1231. Question — How many voters were recorded in that book ? 
Answer — I think 275 — and I think 156 white. I didn't count the 

white voters separately — one of the Managers did ; I took his word for it. 

1232. Question — Was this the book that was used at the general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — I cannot say ; the book was sent to me by Mr. Guffin. 

Alfred Cochran, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1233. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1234. Question — How long have you lived in the County ? 

Answer — Born and raised here ; I now reside twelve miles from here, 
at Cokesbury. 

1235. Question — Were you living at Cokesbury prior to and at the 
late general election ? 

Answer — Yes, sir. 

1236- Question — Do you or do you not know of any intimidations, or 
threats used, whereby any person or persons were kept from voting as 
they felt disposed at the late general election ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 413 



Answer — I do not. 

1237. Question — Were you at the polls on the day of election ? 
Answer — I was. 

1238. Question — Did you vote on that day ? 
Answer — I did. 

1239. Question — Did you see many other colored people vote on that 
day? 

Answer — I did. 

1240. Question — Did any one attempt to prevent them from voting the 
Radical ticket ? 

Answer — Not while I was there ; I was there about half an hour only — 
I voted and left. 

1241. Question — "What time of day was it you were at the poll ? 
Answer — About 8 A. M. 

1242. Question — How many other colored persons were at the poll at 
that hour ? 

Answer — I judge about ten or fifteen. 
1243 Question— How many whites ? 
Answer — Not any but the Managers. 

1244. Question — Do you or do you not know of any political organiza- 
tion at Cokesbury ? 

Answer — There was a Union League there ; it is not in operation now\ 
It was said there was a Democratic Club. 

1245. Question — Do you know of any resolution being passed by that 
Democratic Club, the subject matter of which was not to employ any 
person who voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — There was. 

1246. Question — Please tell us how you know such a resolution was 
passed by the Democratic Club ? 

Answer — I knew it only from the colored men who belonged to the 
Club. 

1247. Question — Were you at Cokesbury on the day Mr. B. F. Ran- 
dolph was shot ? 

Answer — I w'as between Cokesbury and Plodges' Depot, in the woods 
hewing timber. 

1248. Question — Do you or do you not know any of the circumstances 
connected with the shooting of Mr. Randolph ? 

Answer — I do not. 

1249. Question — Do you or do you not know any thing in relation to 
any organized band under the name of Ku Klux or Bushwhackers in 
that portion of the County in which you reside ? 

Answer — I do not. 

1:^50. Question — Were you or were you not a member of the Union 
League ? 

Answer — I was a member. 

1251. Question — When was it the Union League closed its opera- 
tions ? 

Answer— I can't exactly tell you ; I think it was before the election. 

1252. Question — What was the cause of the League stopping its opera- 
tions ? 

Answer — I don't know. 



414 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1253. Question — Were there or were there not threats made against 
that League by the Democratic party ? 

Answer — It is said that there were. 

1254. Question — From the general rumor that the Democratic party 
were opposed to the League, was that the cause the members were afraid 
to meet ? 

Answer — A great many were afraid to meet. 

1255. Question — Please state what the general rumor was in relation 
to the leader ? 

Answer — It was a general talk among the people, that the members 
were running risks in holding the League. 

1256. Question — Did you hear Mr. Aiken's speech at Cokesbury ? 
Answer — No, sir. 

1257. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What was the name of the poll 
you voted at ? 

Answer — Cokesbury poll. 

1258. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did any person threaten you with 
violence if you voted the Kepublican ticket? 

Answer — No. 

1259. Question — Did you hear any person threaten another person 
with violence if he voted the Rei:>ublican ticket ? 

Answer — I did not. 

1260. Question (by Mr. Wright) — What ticket did you vote at the 
general election ? 

Answer — Republican ticket. 

1261. Question — Were you not afraid of continuing to attend the 
meetings of the Union League? 

Answer — No ; I would have attended if the League had kept on. 

Iverson Logan, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1262. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes, 

1263. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Born and bred here. 

1264. Question — In what section of this County were you living pre- 
vious to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — A mile from Cokesbury. 

1265. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed ])noT to 
and at the late general election ? 

Answer — Mr. Samuel Hodges took three tickets away from a party 
that belonged to Mulberry precinct. This was at Cokesbury poll. After 
we went to the door to vote he picked up a stick, and said he would 
knock some of the niggers down if they didn't quit crowding the door so, 
and I walked off. 

1266. Question — About hoAV many colored people were there at that 
time? 

Answer — About eighty or ninety. 

1267. Question — Were they armed ? 
Answer — No. 

1268. Question — How many white men were there? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 415 



Answer — About thirty or forty. 

1269. Question — Were they armed ? 

Answer — A good many were ; they had pistols ; I could see them be- 
low their coats. 

1270. Question — Did any have pistols in their hands? 
Answer — Not while I stayed there. 

1271. Question — Did you vote ? 

Answer — No. The reason why I didn't vote was : there was a table at 
the door, and the colored people had to hand their tickets over the table to 
Avhite men, who walked about twenty feet to put our tickets in the box, 
and I said I wouldn't vote, as I wouldn't trust my ticket with such a 
party. 

1272. Question — Did the white people hand their tickets over the 
table also ? 

Answer — No. I remained there about an hour and a half, and I didn't 
see a white man hand his ticket over the table. The white men and the 
Democratic black men walked around the building and entered another 
door, and went to the box. 

1273. Question — Could you have gone around to that other door and 
have put your ticket in the box ? 

Answer — No, I could not have done it. 

1274. Question — Why couldn't you? 
Answer — We were prevented from it. 

1275. Question — Did you notice Avhether any of the colored people 
left with you without voting ? 

Answer — Yes ; seven left with me without voting. 

1276. Question — Who were the Managers? 

Answer — Mr. Paul Conner was the principal Manager ; I don't remem- 
ber the others. 

1277. Question — Were you at Hodges' Depot, the day Mr. Randolph 
was shot ? 

Answer — No. 

1278. Question — Do you know any of the facts connected with the 
shooting of Mr. Randolph? 

Answer — I do not. 

1279. Question — Prior to the day of election did any one ever threaten 
you in relation to voting ? 

Answer — No. 

1280. Q.uestion — Did you attend the meetings at which Dr. Wyatt 
Aiken spoke ? 

Answer — I did ; one. 

1281. Question— Where ? 

Answer — At Cokesbury ; I was standing at the door. 

1282. Question — Do you remember any of his remarks? 

Answer — He said that he had come up from Columbia with Hutson 
Lomax, and it provoked him so he didn't know what to do, and said he 
was beneath a dog's notice ; I then walked away. 

On motion, the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



416 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

Iverson Reynolds, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

1283. Question — Are you a citizen of tliis County ? 
Answer — Yes ; been here forty years. 

1284. Question — How far do you live from the court house? 
Answer — About sixteen miles, near White Hall. 

1285. Question — Were you present at the election at AVhite Hall, in 
November last ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1286. Question — Was there any disturbance there on that occasion ? 
Answer — Yes ; there was shooting there. 

1287. Question — Tell us as briefly as possible what you know about 
the disturbance ? 

Answer — About fifty of the blacks went up, and about one hundred 
whites, or a little more, I think. I didn't count them though. The whites 
appeai-ed to be so busy we thought we would Avait awhile. The blacks 
stood back an hour, or an hour and a half Dr. Taggart came arovmd 
three times, during the time we were standing there, looking amongst us 
for the men that formerly belonged to him, and there was but one, and 
he dodged from him through the crowd ; and Dr. Taggart said : " There 
are none here, and it is damned well there are not." At this time he 
hoisted his coat and showed two pistols that were buckled around him. 
Then he called me to bring a pail of water. I was the nearest to him. 
I did so. I took the water iip into the piazza where they were. He 
wouldn't let me in the door where they were voting, but took the water 
in. I stood on the right hand side of the door, Avith my back against 
the house. I saw Dr. Taggart bring up Joe Kennedy, and a man from 
Edgefield, named Pick Holloway, both Avhite men ; he whispered to Joe 
Kennedy and said: " You are courier, and I want you to stand up to 
your business ; you may have to go to Abbeville." At the time he said 
that, Holloway caught hold of me by the shoulders and said : " God 
damn you, what are you doing here?" I told him I had a right 
here, I had to vote. He threw me halfway across the piazza, and I caught 
myself, and then he drew his pistol, and about the time he got it out I 
caught hold of it and prevented him from shooting. As soon as I got 
hold of the pistol. Dr. Taggart cried out : " Fall in, boys." Those who 
were in the piazza and outside fell in line, and commenced shooting at 
the crowd of colored men, to prevent them from approaching. When he 
cried out " fall in," I ran to the end of the piazza, and my brother pulled 
us both out of the piazza. They were shooting at the crowd, and pointed 
their pistols at me and my brother, but we were in the crowd of white 
men, and they could not shoot without danger of shooting white men. 
They had sticks, and struck my brother, and cried out " kill them." My 
brother called to me to let go of the pistol. I let it go, and he jerked it 
with such force that it flew from his hand about ten steps. The man 



THIRD COlTGilESsIOTirAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 417 



(Harry Reagan) that hit my brother with the stick ran to pick up the 
pistol, and then I ran off about thirty-live or forty steps into some bushes 
and stopped. My brother and I escaped at the same time, and they fired 
at my brother several times until he ran fifty or one hundred yards. They 
hallooed " here is the one," and I stood still, and they shot at me twenty or 
twenty-five times. I only knew one of the men that shot at me. It was 
Dr. Taggart, he shot three times at me. I also saw John Butler and Joe 
Kennedy shoot. They shot at the crowd. They hallooed so it made me 
notice them. Both of them were couriers. Dr. Taggart told me, before 
the election, that he was President of the Club, and every white man in 
the neighborhood did as he said. He wanted me to join the Club. 

1288. Question — Did all the colored people leave the poll ? 
Answer — Not all. 

1289. Question — About how many left? 

Answer — I can't tell ; they began leaving when the first gun fired. 

1290. Question — ^Did any of the colored people return the fire? 
Answer — Not to my knowledge ; I would have known it. 

1291. Question — Did they have pistols? 

Answer — No. One man had a gun ; he came a day beforehand to 
my house. He brought it to hunt squirrels along the road. I made him 
leave the gun at my house. He wanted to take it on because he would 
have to come one and a half miles back out of his way ; he said he could 
hide it out. I told him it was against the law, and he left it at my 
house. 

1292. Question — Did the colored people vote that day ? 
Answer — Not one that was in that crowd ; they ran oft^. 

1293. Question — Did all the colored people leave after the firing 
ceased ? 

Answer — Yes. Several were wounded, and one killed. 

1294. Question —AYere any so badly wounded that they could not 
walk ofi"? 

Answer — John Washington Green ran oflT about one hundred and fifty 
yards, and then they had to send an ox cart after him. He laid up 
three months, but finally recovered ; he was shot in three places. 

1295. Question — What was the name of the one that was killed? 
Answer — Antony Marshall. 

1296. Question — Whereabouts was he hit ? 

Answer — I didn't see him ; it was said he was shot in the back, head 
and arras. 

1297. Question — Did you see him after he was shot? 
Answer — No. 

1298. Question — You have only heard he was killed ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I know he is dead — they held an inquest over him 
that night. 

1299. Question — Was anybody ever arrested for killing this man Mar- 
shall ? 

Answer — No. 

1300. Question — How many were there wounded ? 

Answer — About five ; Jackson Griffin, Dr. Reuben Watson, Wade 
Hampton, Dick Bradley and George Washington Green ; Allen Good 
(my half brother) was struck with a stick ; five were shot. 

53 



418 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1301. Question (by Mr. AVright) — Did you have any Republican 
tickets there ? 

Answer — Yes ; I had them in my possession. 

1302. Question — AVhat became of them ? 
Answer — I issued some out, and retained the rest. 

1303. Question — Do you know how many colored voters were re- 
gistered there ? 

Answer — One hundred and five. Mr. Thomas Hearse counted them 
and told me there were one hundred and five. 

1304. Question — Do you know whether any colored persons voted ? 
Answer — I don't know ; in front of the polls a white man was walking 

up and down the piazza with a double-barrel shot gun in his hand. 

1305. Question — Did you know him ? 
Answer — No. 

1306. Question — Was that man walking there at the time you and the 
crowd with you went up to the polls ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1307. Question — What time in the day was it you went to the polls 
with that crowd ? 

Answer — In the morning, between 8 and 9 o'clock. 

1308. Question — Do you know of any difiiculties that took place pre- 
vious to that time ? 

Answer — Only what I heard. 

A. P. Conner, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1309. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1310. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

l.:ill. Question — In Avhat part of the County were you living prior to 
and at the late general election ? 

Answer — Long Cane, about nine miles from here. 

1312. Question — Do you know of any outrages said to have been com- 
mitted previous to or at the late general election ? 

Answer — Only from hearsay. I never go to elections ; I did not vote. 
I couldn't have voted the way I wanted to, as it would have been an un- 
pleasant thing — there would have been a fuss. 

1313. Question— AVhat is your reason for saying that it would have 
been an unpleasant thing to have voted at that time ? 

Answer — I didn't expect to vote the Democratic ticket. I wouldn't 
vote the other because it was contrary to the majority of the white 
people. 

1314. Question — To what party do you belong? 

Answer — I have always been a Union man, and opposed the other 
party. I was very much branded during the war for being a Union man. 

1315. Question — Did you ever attend any political meetings ? 
Answer — No. 

1316. Question — Do you know anything of an organization called the 
Ku Dlux ? 

Answer — Only from hearsay. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 419 



1317. Question — Do you know men in your settlement who belonged 
to it? 

Answer — I cannot say positively ; we were satisfied they were shooting 
about at night at the black ones, and we did not know who they were. 

1318. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, was there 
not a general system of intimidation last fall ? 

Answer — Of course there was ; you could hardly find a man but what 
would say so, and tell the truth. 

1319. Question — What was the name of the nearest poll? 
Answer — Frazier's, or sometimes called Cedar Springs. 

1320. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You state there was a general sys- 
tem of intimidation last fall ; who were intimidated ? 

Answer — The black ones. 

1321. Question — Who intimidated them ? 
Answer — The white ones ; so they reported to me. 

1322. Question — Do I understand you to say that the white people 
were regularly organized into a system to intimidate the colored people? 

Answer — I know nothing further than reports from the black people. 

1323. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Are there many black people 
living on your place ? 

Answer — Some sixty or seventy. 

1324. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Could the white people liviug in 
your community so have acted as to intimidate the colored persons living 
on your lands without your knowing it ? 

Answer — Yes ; some of my hands were eight miles from where I live. 
My hands were never shot at or disturbed. 

1325. Question (by Mr. AVright) — How many acres of land have you? 
Answer — About 2500 acres. 

1326. Question — Were you acquainted with Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — Very well acquainted ; he lived but about three miles from 
me. 

1327. Question — What was his general character ? 

Answer — His character would average with the neighborhood. 

1328. Question — What was the general reason assigned as the cause 
of his death ? 

Answer — That he was a Radical, and elected to the Legislature, and 
took an active part. 

1329. Question — Was that the common talk ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1330. Question — Did you ever hear him make speeches ? 
Answer — No. 

1331. Question — Were there any Democratic or Republican meetings 
held in your immediate vicinity, to your knowledge ? 

Answer — I- can't say there wei-e. 

1332. Question — Was there, to your knowledge, a Democratic Club in 
your vicinity ? 

Answer — It was so reported. 

1333. Question — Do you know of any resolution that purported to 
have come from the Democratic Club, in relation to non-employment of 
colored people wJio voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — I heard it. 



420 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1334. Question — Was it the common talk ? 
Answer — It was ; it didn't appear to be any secret. 

1335. Question — From what class of people did you hear this? 
Answer — From both white and black. 

On motion, the Committee adjourned at 6 P. M., to meet to-morrow at 
9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, June 30, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. ]\I., and pro- 
ceeded to business — Mr. Wright acting Chairman. 

Sherrard Butler, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1336. Question — Are you a resident of the County of Abbeville? 
Answer — Yes. 

1337. Question — In what part of the County do you live? 
Answer — At Cokesbury. 

1338. Question — How long have you lived there? 
Answer — All my life, (forty- four or forty-five years.) 

1339. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Laborer. 

1340 Question — Do you know of any disturbance that took place 
before or at the late general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1341. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — No. 

1342. Question — Please state the reason why you did not vote? 
Answer — Because the tickets were taken from me. 

1343. Question — What tickets were taken from you ? 
Answer — Republican tickets. 

13 i4. Question — Did you have in your possession the Republican 
tickets that were sent to be cast at that poll. 
Answer — I did ; I carried them from here. 

1345. Question — Where were the tickets at the time they were taken 
away from you ? 

Answer — In my house. 

1346. Question — How long before the election were they taken from 
you? 

Answer — The evening before the election (Monday evening.) 

1347. Question — By whom were those tickets taken? 
Answer — I don't know. 

1348. Question — Were they taken by one individual or a crowd of 
persons ? 

Answer — A crowd. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 421 



1349. Question — Please state how many, or about liow many, there 
were in the crowd, and the manner in which they took them ? 

Answer — There were four men at the door of my house. About fifty 
yards from there, I saw by the moonlight a crowd of about fifteen or 
twenty persons. They came up, knocked at the door, and I asked who 
was there. They said : " A friend." I asked them to wait until I kin- 
dled the fire, which I did ; I then went to the door, and asked them what 
they wanted. They said : " Them Kadical tickets." I said : " There are 
no Radical tickets here." They said : " Oh yes, they are here ; you 
brought them from Hutson J. Lomax from Abbeville." And then they 
said : " We ai-e Ku Klux, from Laurens." I told them Ku Klux from 
Laurens had no business here with me. About that time I began to pull 
ofl* a plank, (about four feet long and six inches wide,) from over the 
top of my door. One stood on one side of the door, and another the 
other; the door was not open ; they had not asked me to open the door ; 
they didn't make auy threats if I didn't give up the tickets ; they said 
they wanted the tickets, but didn't want to hurt me. After my wife 
didn't want me to shoot I poured the tickets over the door, through the 
place where I pulled oft* the plank ; I pulled off that plank so as to see if 
I could recognize them ; I couldn't recognize them. They were dressed 
with white spotted gowns that came down below their knees, and with 
high paper hats ; I had three guns in the house. After I pulled the 
plank off, I reached over my gun and Avas going to shoot ; but my wife 
begged me not to, and I did not shoot. None of the rest of my family 
made any demonstration. 

1350. Question — Why did you give them the tickets ? 

Answer — My children were crying, and my mother fainted ; I was so 
excited I didn't know what to do, and I was fearful they might come in 
on me and overpower me. They kept saying : " AVe want them Radi- 
cal tickets." I lived a half mile from anybody, near an old field ; I own 
one hundred and ninety-five acres of land there. 

1351. Question — Did you go to the poll the next day? 
Answer — Yes. 

13o2. Question — Did the colored people come to the polls generally? 
Answer — Yes. 

1353. Question — Did they vote generally? 
• Answer — They did not ; but some voted. 

1354. Question — Where did they get the tickets? 
Answer — There were other tickets besides what I had. 

1355. Question — Who had other tickets ? 

Answer — George Hodges had Radical tickets ; he got them from here. 

1356. Question — At the time that you got the tickets and was carry- 
ing them to Cokesbury, did any disturbance occur on the train between 
here and Cokesbury ? and if so, state what it was. 

Answer — Yes. At the time I had the tickets, sitting upon the mail 
box, John Boozer, a white man from Greenwood, came in and said 
God damn it, he didn't ask the party any odds, and he struck Alfred 
Cochran, Nathan Wilson, James Kershaw and Bob Goodwin. Abe 
Robinson, a colored man, came to me and told me to look out between here 
and Hodges', and also told me they were making up a company to take the 



422 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Kadical tickets away from me, and the tickets were taken from me that 
same night, about 2 o'clock. 

1357. Question — Did you ever attend any Republican or Democratic 
meetings at Cokesbury ? 

Answer — Yes ; I attended a Democratic speech at the time Mr. Aiken 
spoke. 

1358. Question — Please state what he said on that occasion concerning 
the leading Radicals, if anything ? 

Answer — He said before they would be governed by the Radical party 
they would go into butchering. When he said that I left. 

1359. Question — Was that speech made before or after the killing of 
Mr. Randolph and Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — Before. 

1360. Question — Did you get those tickets you carried down from Mr. 
Lomax ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1361. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You stated you went to the poll at 
Cokesbury on the day of election ; did you vote ? 

Answer — No. 

1362. Question — Why did you not vote? 
Answer — I didn't have a ticket to vote with. 

1363. Question — Did you endeavor to get a ticket to vote with ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1364. Question — How many persons did not vote because they could 
not get tickets ? 

Answer — As near as I can come at it, over two hundred. 

1365. Question — Were they all colored persons that didn't vote ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1366. Question — Was there any demonstration of violence made to- 
ward the colored people by the white people ? 

Answer — There was not. 

1367. Question — Did the Managers allow all the colored persons that 
desired to vote, and had tickets to vote, to do so quietly ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1368. Question — How many tickets did you have that were taken from 
you? 

Answer — Three hundred and sixty odd. 

1369. Question — Did all the colored people vote that day that could 
get tickets ? 

Answer — They did not. 

1370. Question— Why did they not? 

Answer — They said if I didn't vote they would not vote ; they had a 
Radical ticket which they got from somebody else, but that if I thought 
it was not right for them to vote they would not do it. 

1371. Question — Did you tell them whether you thought it Avas right 
or not ? 

Answer — I told them to use their own pleasure; that I was not going 
to vote, because I didn't have a ticket to vote with, and I didn't think I 
had a fair showing. 

1372. Question — Was it through your influence that those having 
tickets and not voting did not vote ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 423 



Answer — Only one man. 

1373. Question — Do you know of any other ? 
Answer — No. 

1374. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did you know that those tickets 
that you carried from Mr. Lomax's were Radical tickets ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1375. Question — Those other tickets that were circulated about there, 
that were of the same color as yours, were they Radical tickets ? 

Answer — I don't know that. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned until 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

Ed. Butler, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1376. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? and if so, state 
how long you have resided here. 

Answer — Yes ; all my life. 

1377. Question — In what settlement were you living immediately pre- 
ceding the late general election ? 

Answer — Cokesbury. 

1378. Question — Do you know of any outrages that have been com- 
mitted preceding and at the late general election ? 

Answer — No. 

1379. Question — Where did you vote ? 
Answer — At Cokesbury. 

1380. Question — Did you see any disturbance at the poll while you 
were there ? 

Answer — No ; I got there about 12 o'clock. 

1381. Question — About how many colored persons were there ? 
Answer — About twenty or thirty. 

1382. Question — About how many white persons ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

1383. Question — What ticket did you vote ? 
Answer — Democratic ticket. 

1384. Question — What was the cause of dissatisfaction among the 
colored people at the polls ? 

Answer — There was so much talk about not employing them if they 
didn't vote the Democratic ticket they hardly knew what to do. 

1385. Question — Did you ever attend any of the meetings of the 
Democratic Club at Cokesbury ? 

Answer — I never did. 

1386. Question — Why was it you were a Democrat, and voted the 
Democratic ticket, and didn't attend their meetings ? 

Answer — I didn't care to attend the meetings. 

1387. Question — Why did you vote the Democratic ticket ? 



424 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — The reason I voted it was because they said it was the best 
way for me to vote, and if I didn't vote that way I would not get any 
employment. 

1388. Question — What were the names of those persons who said so. 
Answer — I don't recollect. 

1389. Question — Did you ever attend any meeting at which D. Wyatt 
Aiken spoke ? 

Answer — I attended one meeting at Cokesbury, and heard part of his 
speech. 

1390. Question — What was the subject matter of the part of his speech 
you heard ? 

Answer — I don't know anything about it. 

1391. Question — Do you recollect whether his speech was mild or in- 
flammatory in its character ? 

Answer — I don't recollect anything about it. 

1392. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Carpenter by trade. 

1393. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you ever belong to a Demo- 
cratic Club ? 

Answer — No. 

1394. Question — Were you induced to vote the Democratic ticket from 
intimidation, or did you do so of your own free-will and accord ? 

Answer — I was not forced to do it, but the way things were working I 
thought it best to do it. 

1395. Question — Did you see any colored persons vote at Cokesbury 
on the day of the general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1396. Question — Did you see the Managers refuse any colored persons 
that applied to vote ? 

Answer — No. 

1397. Question — Did you see any colored persons driven oft' from the 
poll, and thereby prevented from voting? 

Answer — No. 

1398. Question — Did you see any colored persons that wanted to vote, 
and couldn't find tickets to vote ? 

Answer — No. 

1399. Question — What time that day did you leave the poll? 
Answer — About 2 o'clock, P. M. 

1 400. Question (by Mr. Wright) — At the time you voted at the late 
general election, you were a Democrat, were you not ? 

Answer — Yes, I voted the Democratic ticket. 

1401. Question — Did you believe in the principles of the Democratic 
party at that time? 

Answer — No ; I didn't believe in them. 

1402. Question — You stated you did not believe in the principles of 
the Democratic party ; why did you vote the ticket ? 

Answer — At that time I thought it Avas best to do it. 

1403. Question — Please state why you thought it best? 

AnsAver — I was a Mechanic, and I thought it would l)e best for me to 
vote that way to keep in employment. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 425 



1404 Question — Then you supposed if you did not vote the Demo- 
cratic ticket, that you would receive no labor ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1405. Question — Why did you come to that conclusion ? 

Answer — The Democrats at that time were keeping those out of work 
who didn't vote their ticket. 

1406. Question — Aside from the persons who voted the Radical ticket 
not getting work to do, did they not stand in danger of losing their 
lives ? 

Answer — I never heard any person say so. 

1407. Question — Do you not know that leading Radicals have lost 
their lives in this County ? 

Answer — Yes ; Mr. Randolph and Mr. Martin. 

1408. Question — What became of the Radical tickets that were taken 
away from this place to Cokesbury ? 

Answer — I heard they were taken away from Sherrard Butler, but 
don't know who took thezn. 

1409. Question — You have stated you were at the polls about two 
hours ; how many colored persons did you see vote the Radical ticket 
during that time, if any ? 

Answer — I saw about a dozen. 

1410. Question — Did you know them. 
Answer — I can't say who they were particularly. 

1411. Question — Do you know that there were Radical tickets there 
that day ? 

Answer — I never saw any that day except those twelve. 

1412. Question — Don't you know that there were colored men who 
went to the polls that day, and in consequence of their being no Radical 
tickets went away without voting ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

1413. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You have stated that you didn't 
believe in the principles of Democracy, even when you voted. Now, 
which of the principles of Democracy did you not believe in ? 

Answer — One was, that they wouldn't give employment to persons 
voting the Radical ticket. 

1414. Question — Do you know that that Was one of the principles of 
Democracy ? 

Answer — That was the general understanding among the Democrats 
and Republicans also. 

1415. Question — Please tell me where you got your information; give 
me some authority? 

Answer — It was the general understanding ; you could get it anywhere. 

1410. Question — Can you read ? 

Answer — A little ; I am no professed scholar. 

1417. Question — Did you read the leading Democratic journals in the 
United States, during the late Presidential campaign. 

Answer — No. 

1418. Question — Did you ever hear them read ? 
Answer — No. 

1419. Question — Then all you know about the principles of Democracy 
is what you picked up from the vulgar rumors of the country? 

54 



426 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I won't say vulgar rumors ; it is what I lieard talked among 
the people. 

1420. Question — Please state another one of the principles of Demo- 
cracy in which you do not believe ? 

Answer — The objection stated is the only objection I had; the rest I 
know nothing about. 

1421. Question — You stated you saw about a dozen colored persons 
vote the Republican ticket ; were you standing at the poll during the 
two hours you remained at Cokesbury ? 

Answer — No, I was walking out and in during the time I was there. 

1422. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How near were you to Mr. Ran- 
dolph at the time he was shot ? 

Ansv/er — Between seventy-five and one hundred yards. 

1423. Question — Did you see the persons who shot him ? 

Answer — No ; when I heard the report of the pistol I went about one 
hundred yards further and stopped. I met a woman, and she asked me 
what was the matter ; I told her I heard the report of some pistols back 
there, and I didn't know but what I was in danger, and I came on. 

1424. Question — Why did you think that you might be in danger ? 
Answer — Because I heard the rejiort of pistols. 

1425. Question — Did you look around ? 

Answer — Yes, and saAV Mr. Randolph when he fell. 

1426. Question — Didn't you see him fall before you met that woman ? 
Answer — Yes, I saw him fall, but I didn't know it was Mr. Randolph. 

1427. Question — How long were you in conversation with that wo- 
man? 

Answer — About five or ten minutes. 

1428. Question — Did you then return to the place where Mr. Randolph 
was shot '( 

Answer — Yes. 

1429. Question — What white persons were there at the time you re- 
turned ? 

Answer — I did not go immediately to the platform. 

1430. Question — Where did you go ? 
Answer — Into Mr. Bryant's store. 

1431. Question — How far was Mr. Bryant's store from where Mr. 
Randolph lay? 

Answer — About twenty-five yards. 

1432. Question — What white men were in that store ? 
Answer — Mr. Pitts and Guy Taylor are all I can remember ? 

1433. Question — Were there not more white men in there ? 
Answer — No, no more. 

1434. Question — How long did you remain there ? 
Answer — A quarter of an hour. 

1435. Question — Where did you go then ? 
Answer — Went and looked at Mr. Randolph. 

1436. Question — How long did you stay where his body lay ? 
Answer — About five or ten minutes. 

1437. Question — Didn't you know he was on the cars before he was 
murdered ? 

Answer — Yes, I spoke to him. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 427 



1438. Question — Where did you speak to him ? 
Answer — Pie was in the cars. 

1439. Question — How long was it after you spoke to him before he 
was shot ? 

Answer — Just long enough for me to go between seventy-five and one 
hundred yards. \ 

1440. Question — At the time you spoke to him what white men were 
near ? 

Answer — I didn't see any ; I was on one side of the platform, and 
there was a large crowd on the other side. 

1441. Question — Was there not an unusually large crowd there at 
that time 't 

Answer — Yes, it looked to me to be a larger crowd than commonly. 

1442. Question — Where were you going after you spoke to Mr. Kan- 
dolph and started oft' seventy-five or one hundred yards 't 

Answer — I was going home. 

1443. Question — When you saw that man fall, did it not occur to you 
that Mr. Randolph was shot ? 

Answer — No. 

1444. Question — Where and how long after you heard the firing did 
you find out he was shot ? 

Answer — Not until I went back to the platform. 

1445. Question — Who informed you it was he ? 
Answer — I saw him myself. 

1446. Question — Was Mr. Randolph visible from the store where you 
went in, and could you recognize him twenty-five yards oft"? 

Answer — Yes. 

1447. Question — Then, you went into the store and stayed a quarter of 
an hour ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1448. Question — Did you speak with any one about his being shot du- 
ring the time you were in the store ? 

Answer — No; some one said: "Who shot him"; I replied : "I don't 
know ; you were all closer than I was, and ought to know better than I. " 

1449. Question — Were you summoned before the Coroner's inquest? 
Answer — No. 

1450. Question — What colored men Avcre around Mr. Randolph's body 
after he was shot ? 

Answer — I don't remember. 

1451. Question — How long did you remain around there that evening 
after the shooting Avas done ? 

Answer — About ten minutes, and then went to Cokesbury. 

1452. Question — When you heard the firing, how many times did you 
look around before you met that woman ? 

Answer — Only once. 
^ 1453. Question — Tell us how long it was, or about how long, from the 
time you heard the firing until you got back to the platform at the store ? 

Answer — About twenty-five minutes. 

1454. Question — And there was not a white man or colored man 
around the body of Mr. Randolph that you saw ? 

Answer — No. 



428 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1455. Question — Did you see any one around his body before you got 
there ? 

Answer — No. 

1456. Question — Hadn't you heard some threats made against Mr. 
Randolph before that time ? 

Answer — I heard it talked about, that such a man as he making 
speeches ought to be killed. 

1457. Question — Was this talk among white or colored people? 
Answer — Among the colored people. 

1458. Question — What colored people did you hear say that Mr. Ran- 
dolph ought to be killed ? 

Answer — None ; they said that the white people had said so. 
On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned to meet to-morrow, 
at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 1, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M., and pro- 
ceeded to business. 

'Squire Weidman, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

1459. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1460. Question — How long have you lived here ? 
Answer — About forty-seven years. 

1461. Question — In Avhat voting precinct do you live ? 
Answer — At Bradley's Mills. 

1462. Question — Do you know of any outrages being committed prior 
to or at the late general election ? 

Answer — I do not. 

1463. Question — How many miles is it from here to where you live ? 
Answer — About sixteen miles. 

1464. Question — Did you vote on the day of election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1465. Question — Where did you vote ? 
Answer — At Bradley's Mills. 

1466. Question — Was there any disturbance at Bradley's Mills on the 
day of election ? 

Answer — Not while I stayed there. 

1467. Question — What ticket did you vote? 
Answer — Republican ticket. 

1468. Question — How many colored persons did you see there that 
day? 

Answer — A great many. 

1469. Question — Did you see many of them vote ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 429 



Answer — The polls were thronged with colored people ; I saw a good 
many vote. 

1470. Question — Do you know what ticket they voted ? 
Answer — All I saw voted Republican tickets. 

1471. Question — Did any person attempt to prevent any colored per- 
son from voting ? 

Answer — Not that I saw. 

1472. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Do you know anything of a band 
of men, called the Ku Klux ? 

Answer — No ; I have no acquaintance with them. 

1473. Question — Did the man you were working with threaten to turn 
you off, for voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — No ; he didn't object to my voting as I pleased, and he 
showed me no hard feeling or prejudice. 

1474. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were you a member of the Union 
League ? 

Answer — No. 

1475. Question — Were you frightened at any time by threats made 
against you because you were a leading Radical ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1476. Question — Why were you frightened ? 

Answer — I could hear a great talk that the Ku Klux or Bushwhackers 
were going to kill me. 

1477. Question — Was it before the election you heard the talk? 
Answer — Yes ; and much worse after it. 

1478. Question — Did you leave the place at which you were working ? 
Answer — No ; worked at the place every day, but laid out at nights. 

1479. Question — Did the person, for whom you worked, know that 
you lay out at nights ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1480. Question — Did he appear to be afraid you were going to be 
killed also ? 

Answer — He said there were reckless characters doing harm about, 
and he could not protect himself, and that I must take care of myself, 
but he thought it would blow over by and by. 

1481. Question — You stated that you voted; what time of the day 
was it that you voted ? 

Answer — I was on the ground at least an hour after sun-rise, and cast 
the ticket just as quick as I could get to cast it. 

1482. Question — How long, from the time that you arrived at the 
poll, was it before you put in your vote ? 

Answer — About an hour. 

1483. Question — How long did you remain at the poll after you cast 
your vote ? 

Answer — Not longer than twenty-five minutes. 

1484. Question — Then you left the poll about two hours and twenty- 
five minutes after the sun was up, did you not ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1485. Question — Was it not reported, that some time during the day, 
the colored people were all run away from that poll ? 

Answer — Yes. 



430 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1486. Question — How soon after the voting did you hear that report? 
Answer — I heard it before night by colored persons passing through 

the field where I was picking cotton. 

1487. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Was your employer a Democrat or 
Republican ? 

Answer — A Democrat. 

Richard M. Valentine, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1488 Question — Are you a resident of this County? 

Answer — I am. 

1489. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

1490. Question — What is your occupation ? 

Answer — Boot and shoe maker by trade. Now, preacher of the 
Gospel. 

1491. Question — In what part of the County were you living prior to 
and at the late general election ? 

Answer — At Cokesbury. 

1492. Question — Do you know of any outrages alleged to have been 
committed prior to or at the late general election ? 

Answer — I do not. 

1493. Question — Do you kow of any person being intimidated, or 
threatened as to what the consequences would be if they voted a certain 
way? 

Answer — I don't know. 

1494. Question — Did you vote at the general election? 
Answer — Yes. 

1495. Question — To what party do you belong ? 
Answer — I belong to no party ? 

1496. Question — Did you ever attend any Club meetings ? 
Answer — No. 

1497. Question — Did you ever attend meetings of any kind ? 
Answer — Yes ; I did attend meetings of the Union League. 

1498. Question — When was it you attended meetings of the Union 
League ? 

Answer — Perhaps eighteen months ago. 

1499. Question — Where were you the day Mr. Randolph was killed ? 
Answer — In Cokesbury. 

1500. Question — Do you know anything in connection with the murder 
of Mr. Randolph ? 

Answer — No. 

1501. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Where did you vote at the late 
general election? 

Answer — At Cokesbury. 

1502. Question — How long did you remain at or near the poll on the 
day of election ? 

Answer — About fifteen or twenty minutes. 

1503. Question — Did you see any disturbance about the poll when you 
were there ? 

Answer — No. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 431 



1504. Question — Were there many colored persons about the poll. 
Answer — Not a great many when I was there. 

1505. Question — Did you see any colored j)ersons vote while you were 
there ? 

Answer — I saw one or two, 

1506. Question — Do you know what ticket they voted ? 

Answer — I know one voted the Democratic ticket, the other I am not 
sure ; I think he voted the Republican ticket. 

1507. Question (by Mr. Wright) — What ticket did you vote at the 
late general election ? 

Answer — The Democratic ticket. 

1508. Question — Did you take any active part in the political cam- 
paign ? 

Answer — I did not. 

1509. Question — Have you not made Democratic speeches ? 
Answer — On one occasion I was called upon to make a speech, but 

only made a few remarks of about ten minutes in length. 

1510. Question — Where was that? 
Answer — At Cokesbury. 

1511. Question — At a Democratic meeting, was it not? 
Answer — Yes. 

1512. Question — With which party do you sympathize? 
Answer — I don't know with which party I sympathized. 

1513. Question — Have you never been into the Democratic Club at 
Cokesbury ? 

Answer — I never have. 

1514. Question — Did you attend a meeting at Cokesbury, at the Col- 
lege building, at which D. Wyatt Aiken spoke ? 

Answer — I did. 

1515. Question — What was the language that you heard D. Wyatt 
Aiken use on that occasion ? 

Answer — He said that the colored people would be butchered up be- 
fore the white people would be governed by such ignorant men as they 
were. 

1516. Question — Was this meeting held before or after the killing of 
Mr. Randolph and Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — Before. 

1517. Question — Did not that remark that D. Wyatt Aiken made, 
and other remarks of like character made by the Democrats, induce you 
to take the position you did in political affairs ? 

Answer — An impression had been made upon my mind, growing out 
of things of that kind, and I feared a war of races. 

1518. Question — Was it safe for leading Radicals to go through this 
County and make Radical speeches ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

On motion, the Committee, at 1 P. M., adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



432 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

Washington Lomax, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1519. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1520. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

1521. Question — Where were you living immediately preceding the 
late general election ? 

Answer — Near Hodges' Depot, about eleven miles from here. 

1522. Question — Do you know of any outrages said to have been com- 
mitted prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1523. Question — Where were you the day Mr. Randolph was killed ? 
Answer — In the car at Hodges' Depot. 

1524. Question — Did you see him when he was shot? 
Answer — No ; I saAV him right after he was shot. 

1525. Question — Do you know who shot him? 

Answer — No ; but I saw the men after he was shot ; there were three 
of them, but strangers to me. 

1526. Question — How did you know thev were the men that shot 
Mr. Randolph ? 

Answer — I heard the firing while I was in the car ; I stepped to the 
door of the car, and looked over my aunt's shoulder, and saw three men 
jump from the j)latform ; two of them had pistols in their hands. Two 
of them ran backwards about ten steps and threw up their hands with 
their pistols as though they were going to fire again ; the other man fol- 
lowed after them down to the horse rack at Mr. Ellis' store, and then on 
the Greenwood road. 

1527. Question — Where was Mr. Randolph at this time? 

Answer — He was lying on the ground, and persons were standing 
around him. 

1528. Question — Do you know any of the persons that were standing 
around him ? 

Answer — No. 

1529. Question — Previous to hearing those pistol shots, was Mr. Ran- 
dolph in the same car with you ? 

Answer — No. 

1530. Question — Did you see Mr. Randolph fall after being shot? 
Answer — No. 

1531. Question — Were you there when the Coroner's inquest was 
held? 

Answer — Yes ; I was a witness. 

1532. Question — Do you know of any other outrages, intimidations or 
threats ? 

Answer — No, 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 433 



1533. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did you see Edward Butler, of 
Cokesbury, there at the time Mr. Randolph was shot ? 

Answer — No. 

1534. Question — Did you hear any remarks made by any person or 
persons shortly after Mr. Randolph was shot concerning him ? 

Answer — No. 

1535. Question — Did you see any other person or persons have a pistol, 
aside from those you saw walking off ? 

Answer — No. 

1536. Question — How long did you remain there after Mr. Randolph 
was shot ? 

Answer — Not three minutes. 

1537. Q,uestion — Was there not an unusually large crowd there at 
that time ? 

AnsAver — No ; only the persons living around the depot. 

1538. Question — What persons, who live around the depot, were there 
wdien he was shot ? 

Answer — Mr. Goodwin was in the office writing, and several around 
the depot ; General Hodges was in Mr. Radcliff's piazza, sitting down. 
I didn't notice much. 

1539. Question — Who was around the body when you went down? 
Answer — Dave Turner and some women, but I didn't take particular 

notice who were there. 

1540. Question — What colored men did you see around there after 
Mr. Randolph was shot ? 

Answer — I saw Dave Turner, and another man whose name I don't 
remember. 

1541. Question — You stated that Mr. Goodwin was in the office writ- 
ing ; how do you know he was ? 

Answer — I heard him say so, but I didn't see him in the office writing. 

1542. Question — How far is Mr. Radcliff's piazza from the depot? 
Answer — About sixty or seventy yards. 

On motion, at 5 P. M., the Committee adjourned. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 13, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M., and pro- 
ceeded to business. •* 

John Berryraan, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1543. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1544. Question — How long have you lived in this County? 
Answer — Three years. 

1545. Question — In what part of the County do you now live ? 

55 



434 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Scotch Cross, five miles south from Greenwood. 

1546. Question — Were you living there prior to, and at the time of the 
late general election ? 

Answer — I was living at Mr. T. J. Lipscomb's, ten miles from the court 
house. 

1547. Question — In what voting precinct ? 
Answer — Greenwood. 

1548. Question — Did you or did you not vote at Greenwood, on the 
day of election? 

Answer — I did not. 

1549. Question — AVhy did you not vote ? 

Answer — They said, when we came up, that if a man voted a Radical 
ticket here, he'd die here. 

1550. Question — Who said that ? 

Answer — I saw the man, but did not know him. 

1551. Question — Did any of the Radicals vote at that box that day ? 
Answer — No. 

1552. Question — From the threat which you heard this man make, 
was that the reason you didn't vote ? 

Answer — Yes ; and they were armed with a pistol on each side. I 
counted six of them. 

1553. Question — Did you not know any of those men ? 
Answer — No. 

1554. Question — Do you know of any other threats, whereby any per- 
son or persons were kept from voting on that day ? 

Answer — No ; but I know a man was killed at White Hall. His name 
was Antony Marshall alias Williams. 

1555. Question — Did you see Antony Marshall on the day he was 
killed? 

Answer — Yes. 

1556. Question — Where was he shot? 
Answer — I don't know. 

1557. Question — Do you or do you not know anything of a band of 
men traveling through the country, prior to and at the late general elec- 
tion, under the name of Ku Klux or Bushwhackers ? 

Answer — I do not. 

1558. Question — Do you know anything of the killing of Mr. Mar- 
tin ? 

Answer — No. 

1559. Question — Do you know an}i;hing of the killing of Mr. B. F. 
Randolph ? 

Answer — No. 

1560. Questi->n (by Mr. Bryant) — You said that when you went up to 
the poll to vote, on the day of the last general election, that they said 
that if a colored man voted the Republican ticket he would die ; who were 
they? 

Answer — I can't tell who they were. 

1561. Question — Were they white or colored men? 
Answer — All white. 

1562. Question — How many said so ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 435 



Answer — I can't tell exactly ; six armed men were walking before the 
door. 

1563. Question— Did you hear more than one man say so ? 
Answer — Yes ; heard two say so. 

1564. Question — Whom did they speak to when they said it ? 
Answer — To no one in particular. 

1565. Question — Did any colored man offer to vote ? 
Answer — Not that I saw. 

1566. Question — You said six men were armed ; what kind of arms 
did they have ? 

Answer — Pistols. 

1567. Question — Did they draw any of these weapons, and make any 
hostile demonstration ? 

Answer — Some had them in their hands and around them, but didn't 
offer to shoot anybody. 

1568. Question — Were those words you just mentioned the only ones 
of an intimidating character you heard there ? 

Answer— Yes. 

1569. Question — Were any of the colored men armed that day ? 
Answer — No, not that I saw. 

1570. Question (by Mr. Wright) — What time did you go to the poll 
on that day ? 

Answer — Between 8 and 9 o'clock in the morning. 

1571. Question — How long did you remain at the poll ? 
Answer — We left in about quarter of an hour. 

1572. Question — Why did you leave ? 
Answer — We couldn't get to vote. 

1573. Question — How many colored persons were there at that time, 
desiring to vote ? 

Answer — About fifty. 

1574. Question — Did they leave without voting ? 
Answer — Yes. 

Aleck Cothran, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1575. Question — Are you a resident of the County of Abbeville? 
Answer — Yes. 

1576. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — About thirty-five years. 

1577. Question — How far do you reside from the court house ? 
Answer — About seventeen miles. 

1578. Question — What is the name of the place at which you live ? 
Answer — Scotch Cross. 

1579. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? and if so, 
at what place did you vote ? 

Answer — I did not vote ; I went to vote at Greenwood. 

1580. Question — Why did you not vote? 

Answer — There were armed men there, who said that any man who 
voted the Radical ticket would lose his life. 

1581. Question — Is that the reason why you did not vote ? 
Answer — Yes. 



436 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1582. Question — How long did you remain at the polls after that was 
said ? 

Answer — About twenty-five or thirty minutes ; they gathered so thick 
around me I was glad to get out and come home. 

1583. Question — Who was it that gathered around you ? 
Answer — There was a crowd of some fifty or sixty. 

1584. Question — Were they white or colored men ? 
Answer — AVhite men. 

1585. Question — Were they or were they not armed ? 
Answer — They were armed. 

1586. Question — In what manner armed ? 

Answer — Some had revolvers swung to them, and others had them in 
their hands. 

1 587. Question — About how many colored persons were there at that 
time ? 

Answer — Between seventy and eighty. 

1588. Question — At what time did they leave the polls ? 
Answer — The majority of them left at. the same time I left. 

1589. Question — Do you know of any means that were used to pre- 
vent any person from voting on that day ? 

Answer — No. 

1590. Question — Do you know of any person killed on that day? 
Answer — One was killed at White Hall ; I saw him buried. 

1591. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You say a crowd of fifty or sixty 
gathered around you ; what did they say ? 

Answer — They said any man who voted a Radical ticket would vote 
away his life. 

1592. Question— Who said that ? 

Answer — I didn't notice his face particularly. 

1593. Question — How many jiersons said that? 

Answer — I don't knoAV, but a good many, as there were some fifty or 
sixty together. 

1594. Question — Did all this crowd make use of those words ? 
Answer — The principal part of them did. 

1595. Question — Can you mention a single person who made use of 
this language ? 

Answer — I can't mention any particular person. 

1596. Question — Were these men all armed ? 
Answer — All I saw were. 

1597. Question — What kind of arms did they have ? 
Answer — Revolvers. 

1598. Question — Did they make any demonstration of violence? 
AnsAver — Nothing more than threats. 

1599. Question — How far were you from the poll when those words were 
spoken ? 

Answer — About forty or fifty steps from the door. 

1600. Question — What time of the day was this? 
Answer- -Between 9 and 10 o'clock in the morning. 

1601. Question — Did you go to the poll and offer to vote? 

Answer — No ; some had been to the door, and came away without 
voting, and I heard there threats and Avouldn't venture any nearer. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 437 



1602. Question — You say they had gone to the poll and came away 
without voting ; why didn't they vote ? 

Answer — They were threatened when they went to the door to vote. 

1603. Question — Who threatened them ? 
Answer — I was not near enough to the door to see. 

1604. Question — You didn't hear them threatened then ? 
Answer — Not at the door. 

1605. Question — Did you see any person go to the poll and offer to 
vote? 

Answer — I saAV them go to the door ; but I didn't see any get inside of 
the door. 

1606. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How many persons stood around 
the door ? 

Answer — About twenty-five or thirty white men. 

1607. Question — Was the door open or shut? 
Answer — Open. ■ 

William Williams, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1608. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1609. Question — How long have you lived in the County ? 
Answer — Born and raised in this County. 

1610. Question — How far do you live from the court house? 
Answer — About fifteen miles. 

1611. Question — Did you vote at the late general election? and if so, 
at what poll did you vote ? 

Answer — I did ; at White Hall poll. 

1612. Question — At what time did you go to the poll on that day? 
Answer — About 8 o'clock in the morning. 

1613. Question — How long did you remain there? 
Answer — About two hours. 

1614. Question — AVas there any disturbance at that poll dunng the 
time that you were there? 

Answer — There was a great disturbance. 

1615. Question — Please state what that disturbance was ? 

Answer — Iverson, who had the tickets, carried a bucket of water into 
the house where the voting was — he had the tickets then ; they seized 
hold of him in the house, and were trying to get the tickets from him 
when the colored men who were out doors went to rescue him, laid hold 
of him, and pulled him out of doors. A white man, with a rail, aimed a 
blow at Iverson, missed him, and the blow took effect on another white 
man. During the time of the altercation Dr. Taggart commenced firing ; 
a general fire ensued from the white people ; the colored people had no 
arms with them. Dr. Taggart said before any of us should vote there, 
that they would kill the last one of us ; they continued the fire and run 
every one of the colored people away — (Witness exhibited his hat, 
through which two balls had passed.) 

1616. Question — About how many colored persons were there in the 
crowd that Avere driven away ? 

Answer — Between three and four hundred. 



438 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1617. Question — Was any one hit with the shot? 

Answer — Yes ; one man was struck in the back of the head, and another 
one killed. 

1618. Question — Was the man that was killed running with the 
crowd ? 

Answer — No ; he ran the other way through the old field. We were 
obliged to scatter. 

1619. Question — Who was the man that was killed? 
Answer — Antony. I do not know his surname. 

1620. Question — Did any of that crowd return to the polls? 
Answer — They did not. 

1621. Question — To your knowledge, had any of them voted before 
they run off? 

Answer — No ; not one. 

1622. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — How long were you at the poll be- 
fore this altercation took place ? 

Answer — Two hours. 

1623. Question — Were those armed men there Avhen you first ar- 
rived ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1624. Question — Did any of the men in your crowd attempt to go up 
to vote ? 

Answer — No. 

1625. Question — Why didn't they go up and vote ? 

Answer — We couldn't get a chance, because Dr. Taggart and others 
wouldn't let us go up. 

1626. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — How do you knoAV that those white 
men attempted to take the tickets from Iverson ? 

Answer — They said so. 

1627. Question — Did you see them when they first took hold of him? 
Answer — Yes. 

1628. Question — Where was he when they first took hold of him? 
Answer — Going in at the poll door. 

1629. Question — Did he have a bucket of water in his hand ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1630. Question — Who took hold of him ? 
Answer — Pick Holloway. 

1631. Question — Who else took hold of him ? 
Answer — Several others I didn't know. 

1632. Question — Where were you at the time this occurred? 
Answer — About five steps from the door. 

1633. Question — Was there a great crowd around Iverson when they 
first took hold of him ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1634. Question — Were you standing on the ground? 
Answer — Yes. 

1635. Question — How could you see him while surrounded by a large 
crowd ? 

Answer — I could see his head over the crowd. 

1636. Question — What part of his person did they seize hold of? 
Answer — Around the waist. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 439 



1637. Question— Did they say anything to him, before they took hold 
of him around the waist ? 

Answer — No. 

1638. Question— What did they say to him after they seized hold of 
him? 

Answer — They asked him to give up those tickets, and he said he 
would not. 

1639. Question — Who asked him that ? 
Answer — Dr. Taggart. 

1640. Question— Did Dr. Taggart have hold of him at the time? 
Answer — No. 

1641. Question — What became of the bucket of Avater? 

Answer — Iverson dropped it on the floor. Iverson came on from the 
spring, and as he Avas going into the poll house door Pick Holloway took 
hold of him. 

1642. Question — Had the people drunk the water before they took 
hold of him ? 

Answer — Some did. 

1643. Question — Which one of them was drinking when they took 
hold of him? 

Answer — I don't know. 

J 644. Question — Was any one drinking when they seized hold of 
him ? 

Answer — No. 

1645. Question — Where was Iverson going when they seized hold of 
him? 

Answer — Going into the poll house door. 

1646. Question — Who was it that aimed a blow at Iverson with a 
rail ? 

Answer — I don't know the man. 

1647. Question — How do you know he aimed it at Iverson ? 
Answer — I was looking at him. 

1648. Question — You say, while this was going on, Dr. Taggart com- 
menced firing ; whom did he fire at '( 

Answer — I don't know ; but he fired the first gun. 

1649. Question — Which way did he point the pistol when he fired? 
Answer — Pointed it over the heads of the people ; not at any one. 

1650. Question — How many times did he fire? 
Answer — Only once that I saw. 

1651. Question — Then, you say that the whole crowd of whites com- 
menced firing ? 

Answer — Yes ; about two hundred. 

1652. Question — Which way did they fire ? 
Answer — Towards the crowd of colored people. 

1653. Question — How many white persons were there ? 
Answer — Two hundred. 

1654. Question — Were they all armed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1655. Question — What kind of arms did they have ? 
Answer — Pistols and double-barrelled shot guns. 

1656. Question — Were the Managers armed ? 



440 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. 

1657. Question — You say tliat Dr. Taggart had prevented you from 
going up to vote ; what means did he use to prevent you ? 

Answer — He said any who came up to vote the Radical ticket, he 
■would put sixteen balls in them. 

1658. Question — What did you understand him to mean when he said 
he would put sixteen balls in you ? what kind of balls ? 

Answer — I understood him to mean he would put sixteen balls into 
any one who would come up to vote the Radical ticket, Avith a pistol. 

1659. Question — Did you have this hat on when those holes were shot 
through it ? (Mr. Bryant, holding hat in hand.) 

Answer — Yes. 

1660. Question — Did the balls go through your head ? 

Answer — No ; struck the hair and glanced off. The hat was knocked 
off my head. 

1661. Question (by Mr. Wright) — By whom was Iverson requested to 
bring that bucket of water ? 

Answer — Dr. Taggart. 

1662. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Just before the altercation took 
place, did you or did you not hear Dr. Taggart tell one of those men to 
stand near, he might want him as a courier to go to Abbeville ? 

Answer — No. 

Jefferson Mitchell, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1668. Question — Do you live in this County ? if so, state hov/ long. 

Answer — Born and bred here. 

1664. Question — In what part of the County did you live prior to the 
late general election ? 

Answer — Five miles from Greenwood. 

1665. Question — Did you vote at the late Presidential election? 
Answer — No. 

1667. Question — What was the reason you didn't vote ? 

Answer — They would not allow us to go to the box to put our tickets in. 

1668. Question — Who was it prevented you from voting ? 

Answer — John Boozer. He said if I put a Radical ticket in that box, 
I would smell powder and lead. 

1669. Question — About how many white men were there? 
Answer — Five or six, and they had arms. 

1670. Question — Those five or six white men you saw w^ith arms ; did 
they also prevent you from voting ? 

Answer — They stood at the door, and I was afraid to go in. Boozer 
said we had better leave there, and then some walked and some ran off. 

1671. Question — About how many colored persons left the polls with- 
out voting ? 

Answer — About fifty. 

1672. Question — Why did you allow five or six men to drive off about 
fifty men from the polls ? 

Answer — They were armed and we Avere not. 

1673. Question — What was the name of this poll you went to vote at? 
Answer — Greenwood. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 441 



1674. Question — "What were the names of the Managers ? 
Answer — John Boozer was one ; I didn't know the others. 

1675. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You say they wouldn't allow you to 
go to the box to put in your ticket ; how did they prevent you ? 

Answer — They stood at the door, (the men that had arms,) and the 
man who sat at the box said if any put in a Radical ticket, he would 
smell lead and power. 

1676. Question — What were the names of those armed men? 
Answer — I only knew Mr. John Boozer. 

1677. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Who was that man that sat at the 
box? 

Answer — Mr. John Boozer. 

Beverly Davy, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1678. Question — Are you a resident of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1679. Question — How long have you lived in this County? 
Answer — Born and bred here. 

1680. Question — In what portion of the County do you live? 
Answer — About sixteen miles from the court house. 

1681. Question — In what precinct? 
Answer — Greenwood. 

1682. Question — Did you or did you not go to Greenwood to vote at 
the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1683. Question — Did you or did you not vote that day? 
Answer— I did not. 

1684. Question — Please state the reason why you didn't vote that day? 
Answer — I Avent there to vote, and there Avere men standing between 

me and the voting poll, and said if any one voted the Radical ticket that 
day they would smell powder and lead. 

168-5. Question — From that threat you didn't vote? 

Answer — Yes. 

1686. Question — How many men were Avith you ? 
Answer — About fifty. 

1687. Question — Did or did not those fifty men then leave the poll ? 
Answer — Yes, all pretty much at one time, Avithout voting. 

1688. Question — Did or did not any attempt to vote ? 
Answer — Yes, one did go up to vote. 

1689. Question — Did he vote ? 
Answer — No. 

1690. Question — Did you see anything done to him ? 
AnsAver — No. 

1691. Question— Why didn't he vote ? 

AnsAver — Because Avhen he went up to vote they made the threat, and 
then he left. 

1692. Question — Was that the only attempt made to vote that day ? 
AnsAver — Yes ; and then all the colored people left. 

1693. Question — Do you or do you not know the Managers at that 
election ? 

56 



442 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Mr. Tharp was one, Melton Osburn, and the other I didn't 
know. 

1694. Question — Did or did not those Managers make any efforts to 
get them to vote ? 

Answer — They did not. 

1695. Question — Do you know of any other disturbances on that day? 
Answer — No. 

1696. Question — Do you or do you not know of any men being driven 
off of plantations for voting the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — No. 

1697. Question — Do you or do you not know of a band of armed men 
traveling through the country at night disguised ? 

Answer — No, 

1698. Question — Was everything quiet in your section of the country 
prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1699. Question — Do you know anything connected with the killing of 
Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — No. 

1700. Question — Do you know anything of the shooting or killing of 
any person in Abbeville County ? 

Answer — I do not. 

1701. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Who were those men who said if 
you voted the Radical ticket you should smell powder and lead ? 

Answer — I am not able to give their names. 

1702. Question — How many were there ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

1703. Question — Did you hear more than one say so ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1704. Question — How far from the polls were you when they said so ? 
Answer — About fifty yards. 

1705. Question — Did you go up to the poll and attempt to vote ? 
Answer — No, I would not go. 

1706. Question — Did you see anybody go and attempt to vote? 
Answer — Only that one man. 

1707. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Was it safe at that time for a Re- 
publican to make speeches in this County ? 

Answer — It was not. 

1708. Question — Why do you say it was not ? 

Answer — From what I could see and hear I judged it to be unsafe. 

Patrick Misher, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1709. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1710. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

1711. Question — How far do you live from the court house ? 
Answer — About seventeen miles. 

1712. Question — What is the name of the place in which you live ? 
Answer — Scotch Cross. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 443 



1713. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — No. 

1714. Question — Why did you not vote? 
Answer — They wouldn't let us vote. 

1715. Question — At what poll did you go to vote ? 
Answer — White Hall. 

1716. Question — Who prevented you from voting ? 
Answer — Dr. Taggart and Pick Holloway were the main men. 

1717. Question — What were the means which they employed to pre- 
vent you from voting ? 

Answer — They had arms and we had none ; they drew their arms upon 
and fired among us, and we ran and left the place. 

1718. Question — About how many of you left the place at that 
time ? 

Answer — I don't know exactly how many, but there were a great 
many. 

1719. Question — AVere any wounded? 

Answer — Four or five were wounded, and one killed. 

1720. Question — Were they white or colored who were wounded ? 
Answer — Colored. 

1721. Question — Were the colored people armed ? 
Answer — No. 

1722. Question — Why were you not armed ? 

Answer — We had none, and were instructed not to carry any that 
day. 

1723. Question — Were you present at the time that an attack was 
made upon one Iverson ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1724. Question — What did Iverson have at the time the attack was 
made on him ? 

Answer — He had the Republican tickets for all of us. 

1725. Question — Did they succeed in getting those tickets away be- 
fore you were run off? 

Answer — They did not. 

1726. Question — Do you know who fired first on that occasion ? 
Answer — No. 

1727. Question — Who was it, if you know, who first laid hold of Iver- 
son? 

Ansv>^er — Pick Holloway. 

1728. Question — Who was it that requested him to go after a pail of 
water ? 

Answer — Pick Holloway brought the bucket out. 

1729. Question — Was he in the house at the time they laid hold of 
him ? 

Answer — He was not ; just as he got at the door, they tried to push 
him in. 

1730. Question — Did the colored people try to rescue him ? 
Answer — Yes ; they run in, and tried to get him away. 

1731. Question — What took place during the time that the colored 
people were trying to get Iverson away? 

Answer — Thev commenced firing. 



444 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1732. Question — Did you observe any one strike at Iverson witli a 
rail ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I don't know who it was. 

1733. Question — Did he hit him ? 

Answer — I don't think so ; his brother caught the pole. 

1734. Question — Who was the man that was killed? 
Answer — Antony Marshall alias Williams. 

1735. Question — Was he running at the time he was shot? 
Answer — Yes. 

1736. Question — Did any of the colored people vote there that day ? 
Answer — No. 

1737. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Where were you standing when the 
difficulty commenced between Iverson and those white men ? 

Answer — About ten steps oft". 

1738. Question — Was there a crowd around him? 
Answer — Yes. 

1739. Question — AVere you standing on the ground, or on some elevated 
position ? 

AnsAver — On the ground. 

1740. Question — How could you see Iverson when there was a crowd 
around him ? 

Answer — I could see them around him when it first started ; after- 
wards I couldn't see him. 

1741. Question — Do you know what was the commencement of the 
difficulty between Iverson and Holloway ? 

Answer — No. 

1742. Question — Were you standing close enough to hear what was 
passed ? 

Answer — No. 

1743. Question — Were the whites and colored all mixed together? 
Answer — Yes. 

1744. Question — From what direction was the first gun fired ? 
Answer — From the whites towards the colored people. 

1745. Question — Where were you when the first gun fired ? 
Answer — I was standing a piece oft' from the crowd. 

1746. Question — Did you see the man who shot the first gun ? 
Answer — No ; but I heard the report. 

1747. Question — Then, you don't know whether it was a white or col- 
ored man ? 

Answer — No ; but it was not a colored man. 
1740. Question — How do you know ? 

Answer — I never saw any colored men have any arms ; it was a white 
man who fired the first gun. 

1749. Question — Do you know whether it was a white man or a colored 
man who fired the first gun ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

1750. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You have stated that the colored 
and white people were mixed together; do you mean to say they were 
mixed together generally, or mixed around Iverson where the alterca- 
tion was ? 

Answer — Just around Iverson ; the white people on one side and the 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 445 



colored people on the other. 

On motion, at 7:45 P. M., the Committee adjourned to meet to-morrow, 
at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 14, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 

A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

Thomas Stevens, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1751. Question — Do you live in this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1752. Question — How long have you lived in the County? 
Answer — Born and bred in this County. 

1753. Question — How far do you live from the court house? 
Answer — Fourteen miles. 

1754. Question — What is the name of the place where you live ? 
Answer — Scotch Cross, in Greenwood voting precinct. 

1755. Question — Did you vote at the late general election? 
Answer — I did not vote. 

1756. Question — Why did you not vote? 

Answer — Because there were men standing at the polls that said we 
shouldn't go to the polls with a Radical ticket, and if we did we would 
smell powder and lead. 

1757. Question — What time in the day was it that you went to the 
polls ? 

Answer — About 9 o'clock in the morning. 

1758. Question — How long did you remain there ? 
Answer — About fifteen minutes. 

1759. Question —About how many other colored persons were there at 
that time ? 

Answer— More than two hundred persons. 

1760. Question — Did they remain at the polls ? 
Answer — They were all driven away. 

1761. Question — When did they come away from the polls? 
Answer — They all came away when I did. 

1762. Question — What caused them all to leave the polls so suddenly? 
Answer — They declared we shouldn't vote the Radical ticket. 

1763. Question — Who said that? 

Answer — I can't mention any particular one. 

1764. Question — Were they white or colored persons, who declared no 
Radical ticket should be voted there ? 

Answer — White men. 

1765. Question — Was there any shooting done there that day? 
Answer — Not while I was on the ground ; before I got a mile and 



446 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



a-half from Greenwood they sent for help from White Hall, where they 
were shooting. 

1766. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Who sent for help from AVhite 
Hall? 

Answer — White men sent for help. 

1767. Question — How do you know they sent for help ? 

Answer — I heard so from Mr. Wiss, a Avhite man who met us in the 
road coming from Greenwood. He said that he was going on after help, 
for the darkies were firing on the white men at White Hall, and he was 
going to Greenwood to get men to go and assist the white men. 

1768. Question — During the time you were at the poll about how many 
white men were at the poll ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I didn't get to the poll. A man who went to the 
poll came back, and told me not to go to the poll, as they had said that 
any who tried to vote the Radical ticket would smell powder and lead, 
and I handed my ticket up and went off". 

1769. Question — Who did you hand your ticket to? 
Answer — To some of our crowd with me. 

1770. Question — About how far were you from the poll when you met 
tliat man who told you it was dangerous to go to the poll ? 

Answer — To within about two hundred yards. 

1771. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed prior to 
that? 

Answer — No. 

177:^. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you hear any person, on the day 
of election, at Greenwood, say a colored man should not vote a Kadical 
ticket at that poll ? 

Answer — Yes, sir, I did. 

]77o. Question — Who was it that said this? 

Answer — I can't tell you ; I heard it. 

1774. Question — Was it a white man or colored man who said so ? 
Answer — A colored man came to me and told me. 

1775. Question — I understood you to say that a colored man told you 
that no colored man should vote a Radical ticket at Greenwood on that 
day ? 

Answer — Yes, 

1776. Question — What was the name of that colored man? 
Answer — Aleck. 

1777. Question — Was he a Republican or Democrat? 

Answer — He was not anything ; he was going there that day to vote a 
Radical ticket. 

1778. Question — Did you hear any white man, on that day, make any 
threats to the colored people ? 

Answer — I heard some one away off* from the polls say they shouldn't 
vote there, but I don't know who they were. 

1779. Question — How far was he from the polls when he said that ? 
Answer — About two hundred yards. 

1780. Question — Did you hear more than one white man say so ? 
Answer — No. 

1781. Question — Had you ever seen that man before? 

Answer — I might have seen him before, but I don't know his name. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 447 



1782. Question — Do you know whether he lived in that neighborhood 
or not ? 

Answer — I know he lived in Abbeville District. 

1783. Question — In what portion of the District did he live ? 
Answer — About Greenwood. 

1784. Question — How far from Greenwood? 
Answer — I don't know precisely how far. 

1785. Question — How many times have you been to his house ? 
Answer — I don't know that I have ever been to his house. 

1786. Question — How many times have you ever passed by his house? 
Answer — It is hard for me to tell you, Avithout I knew. 

1787. Question — You have stated that this man lived in Abbeville 
County — that you knew he lived in Abbeville County — and that you 
knew he lived in the neighborhood of Greenwood ; how do you know he 
lived in the neighborhood of Greenwood ? 

Answer — I don't know where he lives ; I didn't know him, only that 
he was there on that day. 

1788. Question — You say he was the only white man you heard make 
any threats on that day ; did you hear any one else say so ? 

Answer — I did not. 

1789. Question — Did you or did you not go about the poll on the day 
of the last general election ? 

Answer — I did not ; I couldn't get to the poll. 

1790. Question — Why couldn't you get to the poll ? 

Answer — Because that man told us we couldn't go to the polls, and 
because men told them we would smell powder and lead, and I then 
turned my course. 

1791. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You stated that a colored man told 
you that if any Radical ticket was attempted to be voted at that poll 
that you would smell powder and lead ; did the colored man tell you, as 
you stated, or that he told you that a white man told him ? 

Answer — The colored man stated to me that he went to the box to 
vote, and they asked him what ticket he was going to vote, and he told 
the white man he was going to vote the Radical ticket. The white man 
said if a Radical ticket was voted at that box that day he would smell 
powder and lead. The colored man returned and told me this, and then 
Heft 

1792. Question — You stated that this colored man was not anything ; 
what do you mean ? 

Answer — I mean that he had never voted before. 

1793. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Do you live in the neighborhood of 
Greenwood ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1794. Question — Did you register at Greenwood ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1795. Question — You say you went there on that day to vote, and was 
there informed that the Democrats would not allow the Radicals to vote 
on that day ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1796. Question — Did you receive that information from a Republican? 
Answer —Yes. 



448 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1797. Question — Did that Eepublican say he was so informed by the 
Democrats ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1798. Question — Did any Republican vote at that box, from the in- 
formation you got ? 

Answer — ^No, not one. 

1799. Question — Does it come within your knowledge that the white 
Democrats in your neighborhood have formed a combination to prevent 
Radicals from voting ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1800. Question — In what way did they attempt to prevent you from 
voting ; what did they threaten to do ? 

Answer — They said all the Radicals who attempted to vote would smell 
powder and lead, and my understanding was they would kill all of us 
who did so. 

1801. Question — As soon as you heard that, you left for fear you would 
be killed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1802. Question — Did the colored people generally vote last fall in 
your neighborhood ? 

Answer — They did not- 

1808. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You have stated that no Eepublican 
voted at Greenwood at the last general election ; how do you know that 
no Republican voted ? 

Answer — There was none cast there while I was on the ground. 

1804. Question — You have stated you didn't go about the poll on the 
day of election at Greenwood ; now you say no Republican voted there ; 
how do you reconcile those statements ? 

Answer — There were none cast while I was there ; if there were any 
cast, it was before I got there. 

1805. Question — You state that the Democrats in your neighborhood 
have formed a combination to prevent colored people from voting ; how 
do you know they have formed such a combination ? 

Answer — I know from their sayings to me when freedom was first de- 
clared. They turned me loose to go, and I asked them what they were 
o-oing to do. They said : "Go to your friend, " (Yankee). After this, I 
told them I didn't know anything about these Yankees, and why couldn't 
I stay with them ; I had been raised with them. They told me I was " Free, 
and free indeed." They gave me two days to study over it, and called 
me to them again. I stayed with my owners six months, and they were 
to give me $7 a month, and I only got $10 for the whole six months. I 
leave it to you to think on it ; if you think it is all right, I will not say 
any more. I won't say no more, for you ain't told me whether you think 
it right or not. 

1806. Question — Are these reasons, Avhich you have just given, the 
only ones you have for stating that there is a combination of Democrats 
in your neighborhood to prevent colored persons from voting ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1807. Question — Did any person ever attempt, by threats or violence, 
to prevent you from voting ? 

Answer — None, only on the day of election. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DiSTRICT, S. C. 449 



David Stevens, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1808. Question — Are you a citizen of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1809. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born and bred here. 

1810. Question — How far do you live from the Court House ? 
Answer — Between sixteen and seventeen miles, on the road from 

White Hall to Greenwood. 

1811. Question — In what voting precinct? 
Answer — Greenwood. 

1812. Question — Did you or did you not go to Greenwood, on the day 
of the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

181o. Question — Did you or did you not vote on that day ? 

Answer — I did not vote. 

1814. Question — What are the reasons why you didn't vote? 

Answer — When I got there, there were about one hundred or one hun- 
dred and fifty men sitting on the railroad, and Dr. McKellar, who was 
going otf on the cars that morning, asked them what kind of ticket did 
they intend to vote. We all told him the Radical ticket. He said : " Do 
you suppose we are going to let you vote the Radical ticket? and before 
we will let you vote contrary to us, and have our lands, we will kill the 
last one of you." Then we saw we couldn't vote, and gave up our tickets 
to a man by the name of Tom Boozer, to bring back here to Abbeville 
Court House. 

1815. Question — Was Tom Boozer a white man or colored man ? 
Answer — Colored man. 

1816. Question — Was he a Democrat or Republican ? 
Answer — A Repablican. 

1817. Question — Those one hundred or one hundred and fifty n^en 
sitting on the railroad, were they white men or colored men ? 

Answer — All colored men. 

1818. Question — How many white men did you see at the polls ? 
Answer — I didn't go to the polls, only to within one hundred and 

fifty yards. When this man made the expression, we gave up our tickets 
and left. 

1819. Question— Was Dr. McKellar alone? 
Answer — Yes. 

1820. Question — Did he have any weapons? 
Answer — He had a carpet-bag in hand. 

1821. Question — Do you or do you not know whether any of those 
colored persons went to the polls, and attempted to vote ? 

Answer — I don't know of any who ventured up. 

18'i2. Question — Did those one hundred and fiifty men leave just as 
soon as Dr. McKellar stated that ? 

Answer — As soon as they could give their tickets up to the colored 
man, Tom Boozer, they all left. 

1823. Question — Then, from what this one man said, one hundred and 
fifty men left the polls without any attempt to vote ? 

57 



450 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes. I said : " Men, are you going to be so cliicken-liearted 
as not to go up and vote ? " They said : " Don't you see them walking 
about with their arms, and we have none?" 

1824. Question — When they said " Don't you see them with arms?" did 
you look ? 

Answer — Yes ; and I saw men walking about, but it was about one 
hundred yards off, and I couldn't see the arms. 

1825. Question — Did you remain until the train left? 
Answer — The train had left, and the Doctor had gone. 

1826. Question — When the Doctor went off, why didn't you go and 
vote ? 

AnsAver — Because the Doctor had advised us, as a friend, not to go up 
and attempt to vote the Radical ticket. 

1827. Question — Do you or do you not know of any other outrages, 
or whether any persons were threatened to be turned off of plantations if 
they voted the Radical ticket on the day of the general election ? 

Answer — No. 

1828. Question — Do you know anything of the killing of Mr. Martin ? 
Answer — No. 

1829. Question — Do you know anything connected with the shooting 
or killing of Mr. B. F. Randolph ? 

Answer — No. 

1830. Question — Do you know anything about the beating or whip- 
ping of any individuals in this County prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — I do not. 

1831. Q,uestion — Do you know anything of a band of men traveling 
through the County at night, calling themselves Ku Klux or Bush- 
whackers ? 

Answer — I never saw or heard of any. 

1832. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did Dr. McKellar, when you saw 
him on the day of the last general election at Greenwood, simply advise 
you not to vote, or did he threaten you with harm if you should vote ? 

Answer — He said : " Boys, if you intend to vote a Radical ticket, I 
advise you, as a friend, not to cast a Radical ticket here to-day." 

1833. Question — Did any person ever threaten you with violence if 
you should vote a Republican ticket ? 

Answer — No. 

1834. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — What do you mean, then, when you 
say that Dr. McKellar asked you and the crowd if you supposed they Avere 
going to let you vote the Radical ticket, and said before they would let 
you vote conti'ary to them, and have their lands, they would kill the last 
one of you ? do you consider that friendly advice ? 

Answer — No ; but we thought it a friendly advice from the Doctor, 
and then Ave left. 

John Wesley Simmons, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1835. Question — Do you live in this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1836. Question — How long have you resided in this County? 
AnsAver — Born and bred here. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 451 



1837. Question — Where were you living prior to the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Two miles from White Hall — thirteen miles from here. 

1838. Question — Did you vote at the Presidential election ? 
Answer — No. 

18^9. Question— Why didn't you vote ? 

Answer — They wouldn't allow us to vote. Our head man, that had 
the tickets, was sent by Dr. Taggart after water ; when he came back 
with the water, they told him to carry it into the room where the voting 
box was ; when he got to the door with the bucket of Avater, Pickens 
Holloway collared him ; he started to run out, and they surrounded him 
and wouldn't let him run out. Dr. Taggart hallooed, " Fall in," and 
they commenced firing, and all the colored men broke and run off". 

1840. Question — Were they white men or colored men, that surrounded 
your leading man Avith the tickets ? 

Answer — They were white men. 

1841. Question — What was the name of your leading man ? 
Answer — Iversou Reynolds. 

1842. Question — Do you know any of the persons who fired on the 
colored men ? 

Answer — Yes ; I knew many of them. 

1843. Question — Please state their names? 

Answer — Dr. Taggart, John Butler, Dr. Henry Watson, Joseph 
Kennedy, Pick Holloway and John Hugh Marshall ; all of these men 
fired at the colored men. 

1844. Question — What kind of arms did they fire with? 

Answer — Dr. Taggart had a pistol, and John Hugh Marshall had a 
pistol, John Butler had a gun. Pick Holloway had a pistol, Dr. Watson 
had a gun, and Jos. Kennedy had a pistol. 

1845. Question — About how many white men were there? 
Answer — Between sixty or seventy. 

1846. Question — About what time in the day did this occurrence take 
place ? 

Answer — About 11 A. M. 

1847. Question — About how many colored men were there? 
Answer — Between sixty or seventy, at the time of the shooting. 

1848. Question — What was the name of the voting precinct where 
you attempted to vote ? 

Answer — White Hall. 

1849. Question — Did you hear any of those white men make any 
threats that morning ? 

Answer — No. 

1850. Question — Did they shoot into the colored people indiscrimi- 
nately ? 

Answer — They wounded four or five and killed one. 

1851. Question — What was the name of the colored man killed ? 
Answer — -Antony Marshall, alias Williams. 

1852. Question — Do you know w^hether any steps, by law, Avere ever 
taken against the party who shot this man ? 

Answer — I don't know of any. 

1853. Question — Were the colored people armed that day? 



452 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No ; we were instructed not to carry arms. I was there the 
Saturday before the election, and Dr. Taggart told us for no one to bring 
any weapons, not even a pocket knife. 

1854. Question — At the time Dr. Taggart and others were surround- 
ing Iverson Reynolds, did the colored people attempt to rescue him ? 

Auswer — Some of his brothers did, and they fired in so they broke and 
run off- 

1855. Question — Do you know whether there Avas a Coroner's inquest 
held over the body of Antony Marshall ? 

Answer — Yes ; the next day. 

1856. Question — Prior to the election, do you know of any other 
outrages ? 

Answer — No. 

1857. Question (by Mr, Bryant) — Where were you when this difiiculty 
commenced between Iverson Reynolds and Holloway ? 

Ansv.'er — I was standing before the store-house door. 

1858. Question — What distance ftom the store-house door? 
Answer — About fifteen steps. 

1859. Question — Did you hear the conversation between Holloway and 
Iverson ? 

Answer — No. 

1860. Question — Do you know what the difiiculty commenced about? 
Answer — -No ; no more than they wanted to take the tickets away from 

him. 

1861. Question — How do you know they Avanted to take the tickets 
away from him ? 

Answer — They said beforehand they would take the tickets away froin 
the man who would bring them there. 

1862. Question — Who said beforehand that they would take the tickets 
away from the man that brought them ? 

Answer — Dr. Taggart and John Butler. 

1863. Question — Did you hear them say so? 
Answer — Yes. 

1864. Question — AVhen did you hear them say so? 
Answer — On Monday, two weeks before the day of election. 

1865. Question — How did the difiiculty commence between Holloway 
and Iverson ? 

Answer — I don't know how it commenced, but when I saw them Mr. 
Holloway had Iverson by the collar. Iverson tried to push Holloway 
loose from him. 

1866. Question — Where was Dr. Taggart standing at this time? 
Answer — In the shed of the store-house. 

1867. Question — Did you hear him halloo " fall in? 
Answer — Yes ; I was standing close by him. 

1868. Question — You say he fired the first gun ; whom did he shoot 
at? 

Answer — I don't know who he shot at. 

1869. Question — Did you see him shoot ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1870. Question — Which way did he point his pistol? 
Answer — At the black men. 



THIED CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 453 



1871. Question — How far was lie standing from the black men ? 
Answer — About twenty-five yards. 

1872. Question — Did he hit any of the black men ? 

Answer — I don't know ; when he drew his pistol and fired^ I ran around 
the store-house. 

1873. Question — Did you come back to the front of the store-house 
again that day ? 

Answer — Yes ; after they stopped firing I came back, and went around 
in front of the store-house. 

1874. Question — How do you know that Butler, Watson, Kennedy, 
and others fired ? 

Answer — I was standing where I could see them. 

1875. Question — Were they behind the store-house ? 
Answer — They Avere standing at the corner of the store-house. 

1876. Question — Did they shoot in the direction in which you were? 
Answer — No. 

1877. Question — You stated that the colored men were not armed ; 
how do you know they were not armed ? 

Answer — Iverson asked us that morning, when we met, if any of us had 
any arms, and they gave him the privilege of searching to see, and Iver- 
son searched nearly every one that was there, and none had any. 

1878. Question — How far was Antony Marshall, alias Williams, from 
the poll when he was killed ? 

Answer — He was about two hundred yards from the poll, Avhen we 
found him dead. 

1879. Question — Did any white persons attempt to stop the riot? 
Answer — If they did, I never heard them. 

1880. Question — Did not some white men follow the colored men, to 
endeavor to get them to return to the poll and vote ? 

Answer — They followed them, but I don't know Avhat they followed 
them for. 

1881. Question— Are you not aware that some colored men did return 
to the poll after this difficulty and vote ? 

Answer — I am not. 

1882. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Do you know which of those 
white men shot Antony Marshall, alias Williams ? 

Answer — No. 

1883. Question — After that shooting affray, what length of time ex- 
pired before you returned ? 

Answer — In about an hour, as I was obliged to go by the store-house 
to go home. 

1884. Question — Who was in company with you when you came back ? 
Answer — My brother, and two or three more. 

1885. Question — In what position did you find the body of Antony 
Marshall, alias Williams ? 

Answer — Lying on his face. 

1886. Question— Was he dead ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1887. Question — Do you know in how many places he was shot ? 
Answer— No, I didn't go close to him; the white men were stand- 
ing around him when I went by. 



454 INVESTICxATING COMMITTEE, 



1888. Question — Did you hear any of those white men make any re- 
marks as you went by. 

Answer — No ; I didn't stop to listen. 

1889. Question — What did those white men appear to be doing around 
the body ? 

Answer — Looked to me as though they were examining him. 

1890. Question — Did you recognize any of those white men ? 
Answer — Yes, I knew some of them. 

1891. Question — State the names of those you knew ? 

Answer — Mr. McDowell, Dr. John Ligon, Dr. Henry Watson, Thomas 
Watson, and Larkin Reynolds. 

Mrs. Amanda Williams, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1892. Question — Do you live in this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1893. Question — How long have you resided here ? 
Answer — Born and raised in this County. 

1894. Question — How far do you live from the Court House ? 
Answer — Thirteen miles, in White Hall precinct. 

1895. Question — Were you living in that precinct at the time of the 
late general election ? 

Answer — Yes, about three miles from the polls. 

1896. Question — Did you or did you not have occasion to go to the 
polls on the day of the election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1897. Question — Please state what caused you to go there ? 
Answer — My son came to me, and told me my husband was shot. I 

asked him if he was killed. He said : " Yes." I said : " Who told you ?" 
He said : "Dr. Taggart;" and then I went as quick as I could, and it 
was between 1 and 2 o'clock when I got there, and I found him dead. 
I sent back home after his own horse to haul him home, and Dr. Tag- 
gart and Capt. Kennedy came to me, and told me not to move him until 
the inquest at night, and the inquest was held an hour after dark ; twelve 
or fourteen came with candles. Dr. Taggart said : " Turn him over ; " 
and they did turn him over, and Dr. Taggart, Dr. Ligon and Viny 
Griffin examined him, to see where he was shot, and said one shot had 
killed him ; but I saw myself seven, of which four were in his back, two 
in his left arm, and the load in his head, (witness exhibiting the hat de- 
ceased wore, with twelve shot holes in it — appeared to be buck shot.) Dr. 
Taggart said, putting his hand on the spot, " This is a number one shot," 
and said to me " Amanda, Antony is killed, and, God damn it, if he had 
minded and listened to what I had said he wouldn't have been here ; I 
told him to come and join the Democratic Club, and he said : 'No, Massa 
Moses, I must run my radical race out ; and now, damn him, he is run- 
ning it out here, and I have been practicing for this very thing for three 
weeks." He also said to me : " By God, you need not cry or fret, for this 
is nothing to what will be done in three mouths from this day — the Avoods 
Avill lie as full of dead niggers as the trees are thick." 

1898. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — About what time in the day was 
it Dr. Taggart made these remarks to you ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 455 



Answer — Between two and three o'clock in the afternoon. 

1899. Question — Who were the nearest persons to you when Dr. Tag- 
gart made those remarks ? 

Answer — Catharine Williams, John Kelly Williams and Frank 
Williams. 

1900. Question — How near were they to you? 

Answer — They were standing around the body when Dr. Taggart was 
making the remarks stated. There were no other persons standing there 
at that time except the three I have mentioned. 

1901. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Please state the reason why your 
husband went by the name of Antony Marshall ? 

Answer — Because he formerly belonged to a man named Marshall, but 
his name was Antony Williams, and he so registered his name. 

1902. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Are you the widow of the deceased 
Antony Williams, sometimes called Antony Marshall ? 

Answer — Yes. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned until 3 P. M. 

EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

Foster Newton, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyie : 

1903. Question — Do you live in this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

1901. Question — How long have you resided in this County? 
Answer — Since the surrender. 

1905. Question — In what settlement were you living prior to and at 
the late Presidential election ? 

Answer — Two miles from White Hall, in White Hall precinct. 

1906. Question — Did you vote at the Presidential election ? 
Answer — No. 

1907. Question— Why didn't you vote ? 
Answer — Because I had never registered. 

1908. Question — Do you know of any outrages that have been com- 
mitted prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes ; I know of a man killed. 

1909. Question — Please state who that man was ? 
Answer — Antony Williams. 

' 1910. Question — Do you know of any of the circumstances connected 
with the killing of Antony Williams ? 

Answer — I was at the poll that day, but was not near enough to see, 
but could hear the report of the fire arms. 

1911. Question — About what distance were you from where the shoot- 
ing took place ? 

Answer — About half a mile. 

1912. Question — Were you going to or coining from White Hall poll? 
Answer — I had been to the poll, and in returning stopped at a house 

about a half mile from there, when I heard the shooting. 

1913. Question — About how long did you remain at the poll? 



456 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — About an hour. 

1914. Question — Did you see any demonstration or excitement ? 
Answer — I saw some white men with guns and pistols. 

1915. Question — About how many white men were there? 
Answer — About two hundred. 

1916. Question — About how many colored men were there ? 
Answer — About one hundred and seventy-five. 

1917. Question — What time in the day Avere you there? 
Answer — About 8 A. M. 

1918. Question — At the time you heard the shooting, did you go back 
again to the poll ? 

Answer — No ; I went back that evening to bring the body of the man 
that had been shot. 

1919. Question — Did anybody accompany you to the body ? 
Answer — No ; but some persons had gone ahead of me. 

1920. Question — Who directed you to go after the body? 
Answer — His wife. 

1921. Question — After you got back to where the body lay, what per- 
sons were around the body ? 

Answer — His wife and daughter, and McDuffie Kunnels and two other 
colored men. 

1922. Question— Was Dr. Taggart there ? 
Answer — He came after I got there. 

1923. Question — About Avhat time in the evening did Dr. Taggart get 
there ? 

Answer — Betv/een 3 and 4 o'clock, P. M. 

1924. Question — Did you hear any remarks made by Dr. Taggart ? 
Answer — Yes ; he said that he tofd Antony Williams that he ought to 

vote the Democratic ticket, and he had answered : " Massa Mose, I can't 
vote a Democrat ticket ; I must follow my Radical race ;" and then he 
said : " God damn him, this is what his Radical race has brought him 
to, and before two months" (so I understood him) "that the colored 
men would be lying dead over these woods as thick as the trees." 

1925. Question — How near Avas you standing to him when he said 
this? 

Answer — Within about four feet ; Avhen he said that I Avalked aAvay. 

1926. Question — At the time that he made those remarks, were those 
other persons you mentioned there ? 

AnsAAcr — Yes. 

1927. Question — Hoav near Avere they to Dr. Taggart ? 
Ansv/er — Sitting around, about ten or tAvelve feet from him. 

1928. Question — When you Avent away Avhere did you go ? 

AnsAver — To Tom Watson's, about one hundred yards from the 
body. 

1929. Question — Did you return again to the body ? 

AnsAver — Yes, after the inquest was held, Avhich Avas very late in the 
night. 

1930. Question — About what time did you return ? 
AnsAver — About two hours after dark. 

1931. Question— Who Avere about the body at the time you returned ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 457 



Answer — Squire McClellan, Dr. Taggart, Joseph Kennedy, Tom 
Hearst, Dr. Ligon, and other white men I didn't know. 
1932. Question — Were there any colored men present? 
Answer — Three besides myself. 
1934. Question — What were their names ? 
Answer — Wm. Lipford, McDuffie Runnels, and Frank Williams. 

1934. Question — Did you take the body away then ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1935. Question — Where did you carry it ? 
Answer — Home — to Miss Ann IMarshall's. 

1936. Question — Do you know of any other outrage that was com- 
mitted ? 

Answer — No. 

Frank Williams, (colored,) sw^orn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1937. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

1938. Question — How far do you live from the Court House ? 
Answer — Sixteen miles. 

1939. Question — What is the name of the place at which you live? 
Answer — White Hall precinct. 

1940. Question — Were you at the polls at the late general election ? 
Answer — No, I was about quarter of a mile from the poll, picking 

cotton ? 

1941. Question — Did any of your relations go to the poll on that day 
to vote ? 

Answer — My father went. 

1942. Question — Did there anything happen to your father on that 
day ? 

Answer — Yes ; he was killed. 

1943. Question — About Avhat time in the day was it that you were made 
acquainted Avith his death ? 

Answer — About 8 o'clock, P. M. 

1944. Question — Did you proceed to the place where he was lying? 
Answer — Yes ; I was the first relative who went there. 

1945. Question — When you got to the place where your father was ly- 
ing ; wlio did you find there ? 

Answer — Dr. Taggart, and two other white persons I did not know. 

1946. Question — Was he dead when you got there ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1947. Question — Did you hear any remarks made concerning liim, by 
any person or persons, during the time you were there ? and if so, what 
were the remarks ? and by whom were they made ? 

Answer — I heard Dr. Taggart say : " He was with me the last tv.o or 
three weeks, picking cotton for me, and I asked him about joining the 
Democratic Club, and he said, * Oh no, Massa Mose, I must follow my 
Radical race ;' " and said, " Now, God damn him, you see where his Radical 
race has brought him to, and that ain't nothing, for before three months 
after this time, they will be lying over the Avoods thick as trees." 

58 



458 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1948. Question — Were you there at the tune that the inquest was 
held ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1949. Question — Did you hear any remarks made concerning him at 
that time ? 

Answer — No. 

1950. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Did you or did you not see where 
he was shot ? 

Answer — Yes ; there were four holes in his back, and thirteen shot 
went in the back of his head. Tlie inqnest, I think, put them down as 
No. 2 shot. His right arm, I think, was also broken in two places. 

1951. Question — Did you see the hat your father wore that day? 
Answer — Yes ; there were thirteen shot holes in it. 

1952. Question — Do you or do you not know of any persons being ar- 
rested for the murder of your father ? 

Answer— They arrested Dr. Taggart, John Butler and Joe Kennedy. 

1953. Question — Do you or do you not know whether they had a trial 
or not ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

1954. Question — Were you ever summoned to attend the trial before 
Court ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1955. Question — Did you attend ? 
Answer — Xo. 

1956. Question — Why didn't you attend ? 

Answer — The day of the trial, a man sent me from the court house 
with an order to the depot, and when I got there Mr. Tim Hearse called 
me to help to unload his wagon of cotton, and during that time my name 
was called at the court house. 

1957. Question — Who did he send you to carry that note to? 
Answer — He told me to give it to the man who stays at the depot. 

1958. Question — Did you give this man the note ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1959. Question — What did he say to y(m ? 
Answer — Nothing ; just took it and walked off 

1960 Question — Did this man call you to unload the cotton beiore or 
after you delivered the note? 
Answer — Afterwards. 

1961. Question — After you unloaded that wagon, did you return to the 
court house ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1962. Question — Who told you your name had been called ? 
Answer — Foster Newton. 

1963. Question — Why did you leave the court house and go and carry 
a note to the depot when you Avere summoned as a witness ? 

Answer — Mr. Guffin told us he didn't expect we would get in until the 
next day. 

1964. Question — Were you informed when the next court would be 
held ? 

Answer — No. 

1965. Question — Do vou know now when the Court will he held ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S, C. 459 



Answer — No. 

1966. Question (by Mr. Melntyre) — At the time you heard Dr. Tag- 
gart make the remarks you have already stated, how many persons were 
there ? 

Answer — Dr. Taggart and two other white men. 

1967. Questicjn — How many colored men ? 
Answer — None but myself. 

Edward B. Taylor, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1968. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1969. Question — How long have you lived in this County? 
Answer — Nearly all my life. 

1970. Question — How far do you live from the court house? 
AusAver — I don't know ; I suppose about fourteen miles. 

1971. Question — In what election precinct is it in which you live ? 
Answer — I don't know what a precinct, is. 

1972. Question — Where do you vote? at what place? 
Answer — At Treble's old box. 

1973. Question — Did you vote there at the late general election? 
Answer — Yes. 

1974. Question — At what time did you go to the poll that day? 
Answer — About 12 or 1 o'clock, and only stayed about 15 minutes. 

1975. Question — Was there any disturbance at the poll that day ? 
Answer — Not that I know of. 

1976. Question — With what party do you vote ? 
Answer — I voted the Democratic ticket. 

1977. Question — Did you belong to the Democratic Club ? 
Answer — No. 

1978. Question — Were you acquainted with Mr. James Martin, de- 
ceased ? 

Answer — I knew him ; I have seen him. 

1979 Question — Do you know of any disturbance that took place in 
your vicinity before the late general election ? 
Answer — No. 

Caleb Jackson, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1 980. Question — Are you a citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1981. Question — How long have you resided in this County? 
Answer — Born and bred in this County. 

1982. Question — How far from the Court House do you live ? 
Answer — Twenty miles. 

1983. Question — In what voting precinct? 
Answer — White Hall. 

1984. Question — Did you go to White Hall poll to vote on the day of 
the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1985. Question — Did you vote? 



460 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. 

1986. Question — Please state the reason why you didn't vote, after you 
went there for that purpose. 

Answer — We stayed at the poll until about 10 o'clock, and then they 
began shooting, and we left. 

1937. Question — Why did you stay there so long ? 

Answer — They wouldn't open the poll. 

1 988. Question — Did you go up to the box ? 

Answer — They wouldn't let me ; they only allowed one black man, 
named Sam Hall, to go there. 

1989. Question — Who wouldn't let you go to the box ? 
Answer — Dr. Taggart and James S. Callison. 

1990. Question — What did Taggart and Callison say to you, to prevent 
you from going to the polls ? 

Answer — We were sitting out, waiting to go to the polls, when 
Dr. Taggart walked around, and looked at every man in the face ; one 
man said to him : " Good morning, Doctor." Doctor replied by saying : 
"I didn't expect to see you here, but I was looking to see if any of my 
men were here, and it is a damned good thing they are not ;" and then he 
called Iverson Reynolds to fetch him a bucket of water ; and after he 
fetched the bucket of water, Dr. Taggart went to his house, with a pair 
of pistols buckled on his side ; and then, when Ivei'son came back with 
the water, they called him in the piazza, and tried to get him in the 
voting room ; he would not go in, and Pick Holloway asked him what 
business he had there, and Iverson said : "I have as much business here 
as anybody else ; " and when Iverson said that, he struck him and pushed 
him at the same time. Holloway stepped back and drew his pistol, and 
Iverson caught him by the wrist, and Iverson got hold of the pistol and 
held on to it, and five more besides Holloway took hold of Iverson, and 
Iverson pulled them all out on the ground, and then Bill Agnew picked 
up a pine poll, as big as my leg, to strike Iverson, and Hugh Hollings- 
worth said : "Don't hit him." The colored men rushed up to assist Iver- 
son, and then Dr. Taggart hallooed out "Fire," and a black man named 
Sam Hall, in the crowd of white men, put his pistol over Joe Kennedy's 
shoulder, and fired at the colored men, and then Joe Kennedy fired ; 
Tom Branson, (with a wooden leg,) fired next ; then Tom Watson, Dr. 

Watson ; then Dr. Taggart, John Butler, Mr. Penn, Charley Walker, 

Charley Walker's brother's son, (I forget his name;) Bill Rush shot mc ; 
and tlien Dr. Taggart, when he shot his pistol off", hallooed : "Hand me 
my double-barrelled gun there," and when the double-barrelled gun fired 
Antony Williams hallooed : " Oh ! Lord," and then Williams and I ran 
away about fifty yards, and John Butler mounted his mare, and rode at 
Antony Williams ; and then John Butler fired his gun at him, and from 
the way he dodged his head, I thought the shot struck him in the back 
of the head, and he weakened after crying " Oh ! Lord." 

1991. Question — Do you or do you not know of Dr. Taggart and 
John Butler being arrested as the murderers of Antony Williams ? 

Answer — No. 

1992. Question — Were you or were you not summoned before the 
Coroner's inquest? 

Answer — No. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 461 



1993. Question — Were you ever summoned to appear at Court as a 
witness ? 

Answer — I never was summoned, but I came here. 

1994. Question — Were Dr. Taggart and Mr. Butler here at the Court? 
Answer — Yes. 

1995. Question — Were they ever tried ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I lieard them say the case was put off". 

1996. Question — Did you see Antony Williams after he was killed ? 
Answer — I saw him when he fell ; I couldn't go to him, as I was shot 

myself. 
'1997. Question— Who shot you? 
Answer — Bill Rush. 

1998. Question — Did you ever go before a Magistrate, and take out a 
warrant against Bill Rush for shooting you ? 

Answer — No, because I didn't know where to go. 

1999. Question — Did you ever consult any person or persons, and ask 
them what you should do in relation to the shooting? 

Answer — I talked to Iverson Reynolds, our head man, and he told me 
to be easy, it would all be attended to. 

2000. Question — Did you not know that Mr. GufEn was a Magistrate? 
Answer — I didn't know it at that time, and didn't know it until a few 

weeks ago. 

2001. Question— Since you found out Mr. Guflin was a Magistrate, did 
you go to him and make athdavit that this man shot you? 

Answer — I did not. 

2002. Question— You stated that Sam Hall, a colored man, fired the 
first shot at the colored men ; do you know whether Sam Plall was a Re- 
publican or a Democrat ? 

Answer — He was a Democrat. 

2003. Question — How do you know that ? 

Answer — Because he voted the Democratic ticket that morning, and 
was the oidy colored man that voted it. I heard them ask him what 
ticket he wanted to vote, and he said the Democratic ticket. 

200-1. Question — Do you or do you not know of them having a keg 
with whisky in it in the voting room at White Hall ? 

Answer — I am not certain whether there was one in the room where 
they were voting ; but I am certain there Avas one in the store part. 

2005. Question — Was the store and the voting room under one roof? 
Answer — Yes ; nothing but a door separated the two rooms. 

2006. Question — Was there a regular bar-room in this store, or was 
the liquor brought there for the occasion ? 

Answer — There was no bar-room there. 

2007. Question — Was this liquor in a keg? 

Answer — Yes ; Dr. Taggart stills the liquor there himself, 

2008. Question — Was the store Dr. Taggart's ? 

Answer — I don't know, but I know Mr. Viney Griffin was selling in the 
store that day. 

2009. Question — Did you see any one drink liquor in that store, on the 
day of election? 

Answer — I saw them drink it out doors. 

2010. Question — Did you see them bring the liquor out of the store? 



462 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes ; I saw them bring it out in bottles. Pick HoUoway had 
one in his pocket W'hen he and Iverson had the altercation. 

2011. Question — Were any of those white men under the influence of 
liquor ? 

Answer — Yes; the majority of them, before they started the row. 

2012. Question — State the names of the men, as far as you can, that 
you saw come out of that store, on the day of election, with liquor? 

Answer — James Callison, Pick Holloway, Tom Branson and Bill 
Rush. 

2013. Question — Did you see any one in the store give them the 
liquor ? 

Answer — I never saw any one giving them liquor, but I saw them 
come out with it. 

2014. Question — Did you or did you not see this liquor before it was 
taken in the store ? 

Answer — I saw them carry the keg of liquor in the store. 

2015. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — How do you know that they tried 
to get Iverson in the house when he returned with the bucket of water ? 

Answer — Viney Griffin said : " Steve, have you fetched the bucket of 
water ?" Griffin said : " Fetch it in, I w^int some." 

2016. Question — Where were you standing when this difficulty com- 
menced ? 

Answer — About fifty yards from the store, just aci'oss the road, on a 
fence. 

2017. Question — You heard this conversation fifty yards distant? 
Answer — Yes. 

2018. Question — Did you see Sam Hall fire that pistol ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2019. Question — You stated that you knew this man, Sam Hall, was a 
Democrat ; how do you know that ? 

Answer — Because they asked him what ticket did he want to vote, and 
he said, " A Democrat ticket." 

2020. Question — Who asked him what ticket he wanted to vote ? 
Answer — I can't say ; it was said in a crowd. 

2021. Question — You stated he voted the Democratic ticket; how did 
you know he voted it ? 

Answer — They told him to come in, and vote the Democratic ticket. 

2022. Question — You didn't see him vote it ? 
Answer — No ; but when they told him he walked in. 

2023. Question — How far Avere you from Antony Williams, when 
John Butler fired his gun at him ? 

Answer — Between sixty and seventy yards. We parted as we were 
running. 

2024. Question — Did he fall immediately after the firing of that gun ? 
Answer — He ran about one hundred yards and fell right behind Tom 

Watson's black folks' house. 

2025. Question — How do you know^ that they had Avhisky in the store 
adjoining the room where they were voting? 

Answer — I saw when they carried the key in there, and saw thembring 
liquor out. 

2026. Question — How do you know it was liquor ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIOKAL DISTRICT, S. C. . 463 



Answer — I saw Pick Holloway have a bottle in his pocket, and a 
young man asked him for a dram, and he pulled it out and held it up 
and said : "This is all I have, I will give you a quarter to go and get 
some." 

2027. Question — How did you know it was whisky in the bottle ? 
Answer — He walked close enough for me to smell it ; it was brandy, if 

it was not whisky, 

2028. Question — Did you drink any spirits of any kind there that day ? 
Answer — Not a drop. 

2029. Question — Did the colored persons return the fire that day ? 
Answer — No ; none but Sam Hall. 

2030. Question — Were any of the colored people armed ? 

Answer — Nothing but a pocket knife, and some didn't have that ; I 
didn't have any. 

2031. Question — How do you knoAV they were not armed? 

Answer — Iversou told them the orders were that not a man was to carry 
arms to the polls. " Boys, lay your arms down and go up righ^ ; for if we 
carry arms up they will say we came for a battle." 

2032. Question — Where did they leave their arms ? 
Answer — At Captain Reynolds, two miles from the jioll. 

2033. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that the colored man 
that fired the pistol Avas asked what ticket he wanted to vote, and he re- 
plied : " A Democratic ticket ; " they then said to him : " Come in and vote ;" 
did he go in immediately ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2034. Question — Was he the only colored man that went in ? 
Answer — Yes ; while I was on the ground. 

2035. Question — Were they white or colored men that asked him that 
question and invited him in ? 

Answer — White men. 

2036. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — The question was asked : did the 
colored persons return the fire, and you stated none but Sam Hall — was 
Sam Hall in the white men's crowd, or the colored men's crowd ? 

Answer — With the white men, right behind Joe Kennedy. 

2037. Question — Then you mean to say that Sam Hall fi^ed at the 
colored men, instead of returning the fire? 

Answer — Yes ; and was the only colored man that had fire arms. 

John Circuit, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2038. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

2039. Question — How far do you live from the Court House ? 
Answer — About seventeen miles. 

2040. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — No. 

2041. Question — Did you go to vote ? 
Answer — I did. 

2042. Question — At what place did you go to vote ? 
Answer — Greenwood. 

2043. Question — Why did you not vote ? 



464 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I got there about 7 o'clock, A. M., and went to Avithin about 
one hundred and fifty yards of the polls, and saw about six or seven 
white men coming with pistols, on horseback, and then I stopped. 

2044. Question — How long did you remain there ? 
Answer — About half an hour. 

2045. Question — What took place then ? 

Answer — When the train came and stopped, the white men made down 
to the train, and when I saw them coming I Avent down towards the 
mill, and sat down on the railroad, and then I said to the boys: " Let us 
go home, for I see we can't vote here without getting hurt." Then Willis 
Logan came to where I was, and asked me where was Israel, (the man 
who lived with him ;) I told him I didn't know where he was — he was 
here a few moments before. The man then turned and went oft'. 

2046. Question — Then what did your crowd do ? 
Answer — We all went on home. 

2047. Question — Had you heard any threats made against you if you 
voted ? 

Answer — I heard John Donnelly McKellar say : " Did you come up 
to vote?" and we said to him : "Yes, sir;" and he said : "Boys, I will 
give you a good piece of advice: you can't vote here to-day: we white 
men are not going to allow you colored men to vote against us ;" and 
said he had land and mules, and "any of you can come and take my 
land and mules and work my land." He said : " I am going to take the 
cars ; I shan't be here, but I tell you j-ou can't vote." 

2048. Question— What did you do then ? 

Answer — We all left and went home, and went to picking cotton. 

2049. Question — How many of you were together ? 
Answer — Seven went from my house. 

2050. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you have any tickets? 
Answer — Yes. 

2051. Question — Those six or seven white men you stated you saw 
coming with pistols, did they threaten you ? 

Answer — No. 

2052. Question — Who were the Managers at the poll ? 

Answer — John Tharp and Milton Osborn ; and I didn't know the other 
man. 

2053. Question — Did you go to the box and attempt to vote ? 
Answer — No, we never got nearer than one hundred and fifty yards. 

2054. Question — You stated there were six or seven white men coming 
riding, with pistols ; did you know those white men ? 

Answer — Only Willis Logan, and he came and talked to me ; he had 
his pistol fastened on him. 

2055. Question — Did they have their pistols in their hands, or in their 
holsters ? 

Answer — In their holsters. 

2056. Question — You stated there were seven colored men in your 
crowd ; were there or were there not more colored men at the polls at the 
time you were there ? 

Answer — Yes ; about twenty-five or thirty men there. 

2057. Question — About how many white nicn were there ? 
Answer — About eleven. 



THIRD CONGKESSIONAL DRI8TICT, S. C. 465 



2058. Question — In your judgment, seeing those white men with arms, 
was that a sufficient reason to prevent you from voting ? 

Answer — Yes. 

Ephraim Watson, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2059. Question — How far do you live from the court house ? 
Answer — About seventeen miles. 

2060. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — No ; we couldn't get to the poll. 

2061. Question — Why couldn't you get to the poll 'i 

Answer — The white men took me by the collar and told me if I voted 
the Radical ticket I should die there that day. 

2062. Question — Who were the men that took you by the collar ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

2063. Question — How many men were in that crowd ? 
Answer — Twelve men. 

2064. Question — Were they armed ? 
Answer — Yes ; with pistols. 

2065. Question — What time did you go to the polls ? 
Answer — I got there at 8 o'clock A. INI. 

2066. Question — At what poll was it that you went to vote ? 
Answer — At Childs' Cross Roads. 

2087. Question — How near did you get to the polls before they laid 
hands on you and told you that you couldn't vote ? 

Answer — About two hundred yards from the poll ; but I went on to 
the poll. 

2068. Question — When you went on to the poll, why didn't you vote ? 
Answer — There was a crowd of men at the polls, who said that no one 

should vote there that day, unless they voted the Democratic ticket ; the 
whole party said that. 

2069. Question — How long did you remain there, after they said that ? 
Answer — We stayed there until about 11 o'clock, and then left. 

2070. Question — About how many colored people left about that 
time ? 

Answer — Above one hundred, I should judge. 

2071. Question — Did they all leave without voting? 
Answer — Yes. 

2072. Question — Was there any shooting done ? 

Answer — Many shots were fired, but they didn't hit any one. 

2073. Question — By whom were those shots fired? by the white or col- 
ored people ? 

Answer — By the whites, as the colored people had no arms. 

2074. Question — Did the colored people leave, or commence leaving, 
before the firing commenced ? 

Answer — No ; not until they told them they could not vote unless they 
died there ; the white people commenced firing, and then the colored peo- 
ple left. 

2075. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — About how many white men were 
there ? 

Answer — One hundred or more. 

59 



466 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2076. Question — Did all the colored men have tickets ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2077. Question — Did aiy of the colored men go into the room where 
they were voting ? 

Answer — Some two or three ; and they told them if they wanted to 
vote the Radical ticket they should not vote it, except they wanted to 
die right there. 

2078. Question — Did you hear them say so ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2079. Question — Do you know the names of the Managers at that 
poll ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

Caswell Merryweather, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

2080. Question — Did you vote at the Presidential election ? 
Answer — No. 

2081. Question — State the reason why you didn't vote ? 

Answer — I asked Mr. John Childs, at the poll, if I could vote. He 
said : " Yes, if you vote a Democratic ticket." I said : " Mr. Childs, if 
I can't vote to my satisfaction, I won't vote at all." He said: " If you 
don't vote a Democratic ticket, you can't vote here, as all that votes the 
Radical ticket here, Avill lay themselves liable." In a few minutes after 
tlie white men began shooting, and I went off, as I was afraid my life was 
in danger. 

1082. Question — About what length of time was you at the poll ? 

Answer — About two hours. 

2088. Question — During that time, did you see any colored man vote ? 

Answer — No ; not one. 

2084. Question — About how many colored men were there ? 
Answer — About thirty when I wa.s there. 

2085. Question — About how many white men ? 
Answer — About forty. 

2086. Question — Were the white men armed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2087. Question — What kind of weapons did they have ? 

Answer — Sixteen-shooters and double-barrelled shot guns, and some 
with pistols in their boots. 

2088. Question — Were the colored people armed ? 

Answer — No ; the instructions to us were not to bring any arms. 

2089. Question — Did they have any whisky at the polls ? 
Answer — I didn't see any. 

2090. Question — Did you hear any other person besides Childs' make 
any remarks? 

Answer — A gentleman, whom I didn't know, spoke publicly and said 
that before the colored people should vote a Radical ticket there they 
would shoot the last one. 

2091. Question — When these white men commenced firing, did they 
fire towards the colored people ? 

Answer — They were galloping and firing as they came up. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 467 



Jacob Marshall, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2092. Question — How far do you live from the court house ? 
Answer — About eighteen miles. 

2093. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2094. Question — Where did you register ? 
Answer — At Cedar Springs. 

2095. Question — Did you vote at Cedar Springs 't 

Answer — Yes. I started to go to Cross Roads to vote, and met two 
white men, and they said I shouldn't vote there, if I did I would be shot. 
I then turned back and went to Cedar Springs. Mr. Robin Gilmore, 
■whom I worked for, said that if I went to Cedar Springs and voted the 
Republican ticket I should not stay on his place. I went and voted, and 
when I came back he turned me off immediately. 

On motion, at 7:45 P. INI., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-mor- 
row, at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 15, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

James Coursey Donald, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

2096. Question — Do you live in this County? and if so state how long 
you have resided here. 

Answer — Yes ; born and raised here. 

2097. Question — In what part of the County did you reside previous 
to and at the time of the late Presidential election ? 

Answer — At White Hall ; twelve miles from the court house. 

2098. Question — Did you vote at the late Presidential election ? 
Answer — No. 

2099. Question — Please state the reason why you didn't vote ? 
Answer — I Avent to the poll, and it was thought by the people there 

would be an interruption, and I concluded that I would step aside and 
sit down, and wait to see what would be done, and I had just sat down 
when the firing commenced, then I left for home as quick as possible. 

2100. Question — What was the distance from where you sat down to 
the polling place ? 

Answer — About two hundred yards. 

2101. Question — What time in the day was it you got to the poll ? 
Answer — About ten o'clock A. M. 

2102. Question — About how long did you remain there ? 
Answer — Perhaps one and a-half hours. 



468 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2103. Question —About how many colored people did you see on that 
occasion ? 

Answer — A considerable crowd ; how many I cannot say. 

2104. Question — Were they standing about where you were sitting, or 
were they close to the polling place ? 

Answer — Around and about the polling place. 

2105. Question — About how many white men did you see ? 
Answer — A great many. 

2106. Question — Do you know whether they had arms? 

Answer — None but one man, who had a shot gun, coming up the road 

2107. Question — Did you have your ticket to vote with ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2108. Question — Did you see who commenced the firing, whether it 
was the white or colored people ? 

Answer — No. 

2109. Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations or 
threats, made prior to that time ? 

Answer — None, except upon myself. 

2110. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Where were you on the day of the 
last Presidential election ? 

Answer — I went to White Hall. 

2111. Question — AVhat time of day were you at White Hall? 
Answer — About 10 o'clock A. M., when I got there. 

2112. Question — How long did you remain there? 
Answer — About one hour and a-half. 

2113. Question — Was there an election going on at that place that day ? 
Answer — There was to be. 

2114. Question — Do you know that there was one at that place or 
not? 

Answer — I was there, and the election was to have went on, but I 
didn't see it if it did go on. 

2115. Question — Did you go to White Hall for the purpose of voting 
on that day ? 

Answer — Yes, I did. 

2116. Question — Did you vote ? 
Answer — No. 

2117. Question — Did you go to the place where elections are usually 
held ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2118. Question — But saw no sign of an election going on ? 
Answer — I saw none. 

2119. Question — How long did you stay at the place where elections 
were usually held ? 

Answer — I suppose about an hour and a half. 

2120. Question — When you found there was no election what did you 
do then ? 

Answer — I made for home. 

2121. Question — You stated you were about two hundred yards from 
the poll when firing commenced ; what firing do you allude to ? 

Answer — Gun firing. 

2122. Question — How many guns did you hear fire ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. G. 409 



Answer — I didn't count them. 

2123. Question — Who shot the guns ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

2124. Question — What were they fired for? 

Answer — I can't answer that question ; I was at a distance ofl". 

2125. Question — Did you see the men while they were firing those 
guns? 

Answer — No. 

2126. Question — Did it seem to he artillery or small arms fired ? 
Answer — It might have been small arms. 

2127. Question — At what distance from you did the firing appear to be ? 
Answer — Some two hundred yards, I suppose. 

2128. Question — When you heard the firing, did you look in the di- 
rection from whence the firing proceeded ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2129. Question — Upon looking in the direction from whence the firing 
proceeded, what did you observe ? 

Answer — I observed people running. 

2130. Question — About how many persons did you observe running ? 
Answer — I did not count them, but there were many. 

2131. Question — What color did they appear to be : those persons 
who were running. 

Answer — They were black people. 

2132. Q,uestion — Were they all black people ? 
Answer — All I saw runninf were black people. 

2133 Question — Did they appear to be men or women ? 
Answer — They were men. 

2134. Question — Did you watch them until they stopped running ? 
Answer — No. 

2135. Question — Did they run until they got out of your sight ? 
Answer — When I saw them they were running, and I commenced run- 
ning myself. 

2136. Question — Did you run along with the crowd, or did you start 
off" in a different direction ? 

Answer — I didn't run with the crowd ; I started in a direction towards 
home. 

2137. Question — How far did you run? 

Answer — Until I got tired ; then I stopped running and walked. 

2138. Question — How far had you gotten from the point from which 
you started when you stopped running and commenced walking ? 

Answer — I didn't measure it. 

2139. Question — From the best of your knowledge and belief, about 
how far did you run ? 

Answer — I can't say. 

2140. Question — Did you go immediately home? 
Answer — Yes, as soon as I could get there. 

2141. Question — Did you look back any time from the time you 
started until you got home ? 

Answer — Looked back soon after I started from where I was. 

2142. Question — Did you see any person when you looked back ? 
Answer — I don't know that I did. 



470 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2143. Question — Did any person make any demonstration of violence 
to you that day ? 

Answer — No. 

2144. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did not some person or per- 
sons whip you? 

Answer — Yes. 

2145. Question — At what time ? 
Answer — Some time in August last. 

2146. Question — Where was it this occurred ? 
Answer — Near my dwelling. 

2147. Question — By whom were you whipped? and for what cause? 
Answer — I can't tell for what cause ; I know not the persons. 

2148. Question — State where you were Avhipped, and how you were 
whipped ? 

Answer — They came to my door and called me by name, Coursey, and 
told me to open the door ; I was in bed ; I did not open my mouth ; they 
knocked, and continued to knock until they broke the door down, and 
then they came in and dragged me out of my bed, caught me by one 
side of my whiskers and pulled them out by the roots, and dragged me 
off some distance from my house and beat me severely. They handed 
me my clothes after they were done with me, but I was not able to put 
them on ; I laid there for some time, until I got able to go to the house. 
I was not able to gather all my crop when gathering time came, 

2149. Question — About what time of night was it they came ? 
Answer — In the early part of the night. 

2150. Question — How many were there ? 
Answer — I supposed about eight or ten men. 

2151. Question — Were they white or colored? 

Answer — They had straight hair, but their faces were black, or I took 
it to be false faces. 

2152. Question — Was any other part of their person disguised ? 
Answer — Not that I noticed. 

2153. Question — Were they armed ? 
Answer — They had pistols. 

2154. Question — Did you hear any remarks made by those persons ? 
Answer — They abused rae for a Radical, They said : " Some of your 

neighbors told you what was the best for you to do, but you would rather 
be a Radical ;" and said : " We will give you Radical," They said this 
while taking me out of the house, 

2155. Question — Did they make any remarks while whipping you? 
Answer — No. 

215(). Question — Did they tie you? 
Answer — No, 

2157. Question — Did they strip you of your clothes ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2158. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You stated when you looked in the 
direction whence the tiring proceeded, you saw a lot of black men running ; 
did you or did you not see any person or persons running after them ? 

Answer — No. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 471 



Richard Sanders, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2159. Question — Are you a native citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2160. Question — In what election precinct do you reside ? 
Answer — Cokesbury. 

2161. Question — Where were you on the day of the last Presidential 
election ? 

Answer — At Cokesbury. 

2162. Question — Did you vote at Cokesbury on that day ? 
Answer — No. 

2163. Question — Why did you not vote? 
Answer — I could not get a ticket. 

216 4. Question — What kind of a ticket did you wish? 
Answer — A Radical ticket. 

2165. Question — Whom did you go to to get a Radical ticket ? 
Answer — To Sherrard Butler. 

2166. Question — Was he a Manager of Election? 
Answer — He was a manager of the tickets. 

2167. Question — What do you mean by a manager of the tickets? 
Answer — He had to hand them out to us when we came to the polls. 

2168. Question — Why did he not give you a ticket? 

Answer — He said the Ku Klux crossed the river at night, between 2 
and 3 o'clock, and took the tickets from him. 

2169. Question — Did you try to get a ticket from anybody else? 
Answer — Yes ; and couldn't get it. 

2170. Question — Did you ask the Managers for a ticket? 
Answer — I did. 

2171. Question— What did they say? 
Answer — Said they had no tickets to give us. 

2172. Question — Was there any disturbance at Cokesbury that day? 
Answer — There was none. 

2173. Question — Did any person, at any time [ previous to the last 
Presidential election, endeavor to prevent you from voting, by threats 
or violence ? 

Answer — No ; I didn't feel safe in voting, if I had got a ticket, from 
tlie way they had a table across the door, and we couldn't see where our 
tickets would go. 

2174. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You stated you asked the Mana- 
ger of Election for a ticket, and he said he had none to give you ; what 
kind of a ticket did you ask for? 

Answer — A Radical ticket. 

2175. Question — Did he not offer you a Democratic ticket? 
Answer — No ; for he knew I wouldn't vote it. 

2176. Question — In your judgment, then, if you had had a Republican 
ticket could you have put it in the box ? 

Answer — No. 

Mr. Bryant — I object to the question- 
Mr. Wright — I think the objection is well founded. 



472 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Squire Williams, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright: 

2177. Question — Are you a citizen of this County? 
Answer — Yes ; and live at Cokesbury. 

2178. Question — Were you living at Cokesbury at the time of the late 
general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2179. Question — Did you vote there? 
Answer — No. 

2180. Question — Did you vote at any other place ? 
Answer — No. 

2181. Question — Did you go to the polls to vote? 
Answer^ — Yes ; within fifty yards. 

2182. Question — Why did you not vote? 

Answer — When I got there they said the tickets were destroyed the 
night before, and then I went immediately home ? 

2183. Question — Did you try to get a ticket? 
Answer — No. 

2184. Question — Was there any act of violence committed there that 
day, to your knowledge ? 

Answer — Not while I was there. 

Pedlar Watson, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2185. Question — How long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — About forty years. 

2186. Question — How far do you live from the court house ? 
Answer — About seventeen miles. 

2187. Question — What is the name of the place where you live ? 
Answer — Mt. Moriah Church. 

2188. Question — At what place did you go to vote at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — At White Hall. 

2189. Question — Did you vote ? 
Answer — No. 

2190. Question — Why did you not vote? 

Answer — There was a row commenced and shooting was going on. 

2191. Question — By whom was that row commenced? 
Answer — I cannot say. 

2192. Question — How many colored persons were there that day, at 
the time you were there ? 

Answer — Between fifty and sixty. 

2193. Question — What time did you arrive there ? 
Answer — Between 8 and 9 o'clock A. M. 

2194. Question — How long did you remain thei-e ? 
Answer — About one hour and a half. 

2 1 95. Question — About how many Avhite people were there ? 
Answer — About one hundred. 

2196. Question — Were the colored people armed ? 
Answer — No ; they were ordered not to carry any. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 



2197. Question — By wliom were they ordered not to carry any? 
Answer — Iverson Reynolds. 

2198. Question — Were the white people armed ? 
Answer — I saw a man with a pistol, who shot my son. 

2199. Question — Was he a white or colored man ? 
Answer — A white man. 

2200. Question — Was that the first shot that was fired, to your know- 
ledge ? 

Answer — It was. 

2201. Question — What did the colored people do when that shot was 
fired? 

Answer — They run ? 

2202. Question — Were there any other shots fired ? and if so, about 
how many ? 

Answer — Yes; near as I can judge, there were some fifty or sixty 
shots. 

2203. Question — Have you heard any threats made against the colored 
people ? 

Answer — No. 

2204. Question — What first commenced this row you speak of? 
Answer — I don't know. 

2205. Question — Did that crowd of colored persons who ran off re- 
turn to the box ? 

Answer — They did not. 

2206. Question — You have stated that Iverson Reynolds instructed 
the colored people not to carry arms to the polls ; were you present at 
the time that instruction was given ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2207. Question — Who had possession of the Republican tickets ? 
Answer — Iverson Reynolds. 

2208. Question — Did you see any attempt made by any parties to take 
the tickets from Reynolds ? 

Answer — I saw a man clinch him in the dooi*. 

2209. Question — How long was it, after you saw this man clinch Rey- 
nolds, before you heard the first pistol fire ? 

Answer — I don't think it was three minutes. 

2210. Question — Were there any person or persons shot on that day ? 
Answer — Yes, Washington Pressley, (my son,) a man by the name of 

Jackson, and a man named Wade ; Antony Williams was killed. 

2211. Question — Did Ivei-son Reynolds have anything in his hand at 
the time you saw a person clinch him ? 

Answer- -No; but he had just handed a pail of water into the house. 

2212. Question — Do you know any of the persons who shot that day ? 
Answer — No. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned to meet at 3 P. M. 



60 



474 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M., and pro- 
ceeded to business. 

Reuben Watson, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2213. Question — Are you a citizen of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2214. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

2215. Question — In what portion of the County do you reside ? 
Answer — At White Hall, twelve miles from the Court House ? 

2216. Question — At what poll do you vote ? 
Answer — White Hall ? 

2217. Question — Were you at the poll on the day of the late general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2218. Question — Did you or did you not vote at the general election ? 
Answer — I did not. 

2219. Question — Did you go to the poll that day with the intention of 
voting ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2220. Question— What were the reasons why you didn't vote ? 
Answer — I was prevented from voting. 

2221. Question — In what way or manner were you prevented from 
voting ? 

Answer — Iverson Reynolds, a leading man, was sent after a bucket of 
water. 

2222. Question — Who sent him ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

2223. Question — Was he a man belonging to your party or the oppo- 
site party ? 

Answer — He belonged to the other party. 

2224. Question — Was he a colored man or white man that sent him 
after the water ? 

Ansv/er — A white man. 

2225. Question — Where was this man when he sent Iverson Reynolds 
after the water ? 

Answer — He was standing in the door where they had to go in to vote. 
2226 Question — Did Iverson Reynolds go and bring the water ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2227. Question — What did he do with the water Avhen he brought it? 
Answer — He handed the water in, and in that time they seized him, to 

take him in. 

2228. Question— What did they do after they took hold of him ? 
Answer — They scuffled ; he dragged them out of the piazza, and he 

then got loose from them ; at the time he ran they commenced shooting, 
and shortly after that I got shot in the head. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, B. C. 475 



2229. Question — Do you know any of the parties that did the shoot- 
ing? 

Answer — No. 

2230. Question — How many white men were about the poll ? 
Answer — Looked to be something over one hundred. 

2231. Question — How many colored men? 
Answer — Looked to be something over one hundred. 

2232. Question — Were the white men at the poll armed ? 
Answer — Yes, had pistols and guns. 

2233. Question — Were the colored men armed ? 
Answer — No. 

2234. Question — Did any one else get shot that day besides you ? 
Answer — Three besides myself. 

2235. Question — Please state the names of those shot besides yourself? 
Answer — Wade Elmore, Wasliington Pressley and Antony Williams. 

2236. Question — Were these three men colored ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2237. Question — Were any of those men killed ? 
Answer — Yes ; Antony Williams. 

2238. Question — Did you see those men after they were shot ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2239. Question — Did you hear any of the threats that the white men 
made at the poll tliat day ? 

Answer — I heard Dr. Taggart say if a Radical ticket was voted there 
that day we Avould smell powder and lead. I understood him to mean 
any man who voted the ticket. 

2240. Question — Do you remember whether there were one or two 
rooms at the house where the voting was going on ? 

Answer — Yes, two down stairs and one up. 

224L Question — In what room did the voting take place ? 

Answer — On the first floor. 

2242. Question — Do you or do you not know whether one of those 
rooms was used as a store ? 

Answer — Yes, it Avas. 

2243. Question — Which one of those rooms was the store ? 
Answer — The room on the right. 

2244. Question — Did you or did you not see any person or persons 
coming out of that store with liquor that day ? 

Answer — No. 

2245. Question — Were you up near the door of the store ? 
Answer — No ; was some distance ofi". 

2246. Question — What was the nearest distance you Avere from the 
store ? 

Answer — Little over ten yards. 

2247. Question — Did you hear Dr. Taggart make use of any expression 
before the firing commenced ? 

Answer — No. 

2248. Question — Were you near enough to him to hear him, had he made 
any? 

Answer — Yes. 

2249. Question — Did you see Antony Williams after he was dead? 



476 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes. 

2250. Question — Were you there when the Coroner's inquest was held 
over the body 'i 

Answer — No. 

2251. Question — How long after he was dead before you saw him? 
Answer — Not until the next day. 

2252. Question — Did you see Dr. Taggart that day after the shooting 
commenced ? 

Answer — No. 

2253. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Where were you standing when 
this difficulty commenced at White Hall ? 

Answer — Little over ten yards from the store. 

2254. Question — Were you standing immediately in front of the store 
door '( 

Answer — No. 

2255. Question — Did you hear any words passed between Iverson Rey- 
nolds and the men who had hold of him ? 

Answer — No ; he Avas struggling to get loose from them. 

2256. Question — Who had hold of him ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

2257. Question — How many persons had hold of him ? 
Answer — About two or three. 

2258. Question — Did you see the man that fired the first gun ? 
Answer — No. 

2259. Question — Did you see Dr. Taggart, at the time the first gun 
was fired ? 

Answer — No. 

2260. Question — From what direction did the report of the first gun 
come ? 

Answer — Right at the store. 

2261. Question — Did you see the smoke from the first gun ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2262. Question — Did you see the smoke coming out of the pistol that 
was fired ? 

Answer — No. 

2263. Question — When you heard the first gun fire, did you look in- 
stantly in the direction from which the report came ? 

Answer — No ; I saw the smoke go over my head, and I ran. 

2264. Question — Do you know whether any one was hit by the dis- 
charge of the first gun ? 

Answer — Yes, I was hit. 

2265. Question — Did you run entirely off" the place ? 
Answer — Yes ; never stopped until I got home. 

2266. Question — Did you hear any other gun fire ? 
Answer — No ; I only heard the one. 

2267. Question — Where were you shot ? 

Answ^er — In the head ; the shot, (about ten,) are in my head now. 

2268. Question — You stated that the Avhite people were armed ; do 
you mean to say they Avere all armed ? 

Answer — I saw some of them armed. 

2269. Question — About how many Avhite persons did you see armed ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 477 



Answer — About fifty. 

2270. Question — What kind of arms did they have ? 
Answer— Pistols. 

2271. Question — About how many of the colored people were armed ? 
Answer — None that I saw. 

2272. Question — Could they not have been armed and you not have 
seen them ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

2273. Question (by Mr. "Wright) — Was there a door that went out of 
the store-room into the voting place ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2274. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You stated that there was one 
gun fired ; did you feel theshot in your head when that gun fired ? 

Answer — Yes. 

James Brister, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

2275. Question — Do you live in this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

2276. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — About thirty years. 

2277. Question — In what of the County were you living previous to 
and at the time of the Presidential election ? 

Answer — Near Diamond Hill P. O., fourteen miles from the Court 
House. 

2278. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — No. 

2279. Question — Do you know of any oiitrages, intimidations, or 
threats, committed prior to or at the late general election ? 

Answer — No. 

Zachariah Williams, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2280. Question — Where do you live ? 
Answer — At Long Cane voting precinct. 

2281. Question — Where were you on the day of the late Presidential 
election ? 

Answer — At Douglas' Mill. 

2282. Question— Did you vote ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2283. Question — Was there any disturbance there that day ? 
Answer — In the early part of the day they ordered us away from 

there. 

2284. Question — Who ordered you away ? 
Answer — Bill Pace, a white man. 

2285. Question — Is that all you know about the outrages in this 
County ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2286. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How far do you live from here ? 
Answer — About eighteen miles. 

2287. Question — What time did you go to vote that morning ? 



478 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — About 8 o'clock. 

2288. Question — How long did you remain there ? 
Answer — From one to two hours. 

2289. Question — About how many colored persons were there during 
that time '/ 

Answer — Only three of us. 

2290. Question — How many white persons were there ? 
Answer — I don't know, but there were a great many. 

2291. Question — Where did you get your ticket to vote ? 
Answer — From George Hawthorn, a colored man. 

2-92. Question — Do you know what kind of a ticket it was ? 
Answer — It was a Radical ticket. 

2293. Question — Did any person or persons object to your putting 
it in? 

Answer — No. 

2294. Question — Were you ordered away before or after you put it in ? 
Answer — After. 

2295. Question — Did the person who ordered you away see you put 
it in? 

Answer — I don't know. 

2296. Question — Did you see any one at the polls that day armed ? 
Answer — The one who ordered me away had arms ; I saw them. 

2297. Question — Did those other colored men who were there at that 
time vote ? 

Answer — Yes ; I was waiting on them. 

2298. Question — Why did you have to wait for them ? 
Answer — We didn't get there together. 

On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow at 
9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 16, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 

A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

Moses C. Taggart, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2299. Question — Are you a native citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — I am. 

2300. QueBtion — In what voting precinct do you reside ? 
Answer — White Hall. 

2301. Question — Were you at AVhite Hall on the day of the late gene- 
ral election ? 

Answer — I was. 

2302. Question — Did you remain there all day ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 479 



Answer — I did ; the polls were opened in my store, about one hundred 
and fifty yards from my residence. 

2303. Question — Was there any disturbance at that poll on that day ? 
Answer — There was. 

2304. Question — Please state what you know about the disturbance at 
that place ? 

Answer — As far as my own personal observation extends, it is but little, 
especially in regard to the commencement of the difficulty ; I was in the 
room where the voting was going on, probably between the hours of 9 and 
10 A. M, The room was densely crowded with voters ; I was dictating a 
letter when some one remarked : " The negroes and whites, or the whites and 
negroes are fighting." I heard considerable disturbance in the piazza, as 
if scuffling was going on, when a shot was fired. In probably about ten 
seconds successive shots were fired ; all parties rushed to the door to see 
the cause of the difficulty. I unlocked the door of the store, seized my 
Winchester carbine, and being unable to get in the piazza through the 
door, threw open a window looking upon the piazza, when I saw the 
negroes running in every direction, not one facing the whites ; I remarked 
to Dr. Watson, who was standing by my side, that " the negroes are run- 
ning ; let us put a stop to this at once." I deposited my carbine where I 
was standing, sprang through the window into the piazza, and called out 
at the top of my voice to cease firing ; that it was damned outrageous to 
fire upon a retreating foe that showed no fight. I, in conjunction with 
four or five other gentlemen, used my utmost endeavors to stop the diffi- 
culty at once, and succeeded. Some gentlemen had got up on their horses, for 
the purpose, as I suppose, of pursuing ; I prevailed upon them to dismount, 
and said : " This difficulty must be stopped, and the negroes allowed to 
vote as they choose." What negroes were in hearing distance I told to 
return and they should vote unmolested ; I think there Avcre but two 
negroes who returned and voted, and both of them voted the Radical 
ticket. 

2305. Question — Do you know whether any person was requested to 
bring a bucket of water into the store room ? 

Answer — I was asked by an old gentleman, a friend of mine, for a 
drink of water, and there was none in the store. I told him I would 
have some brought, and picked up the bucket, which was in the same 
room where the polls were open, walked out upon the steps of the piazza, 
and said : " Steve, (which is the nick-name of Iverson Reynolds,) will you 
please bring a bucket of water?" He replied : " Certainly, Massa Mose." 
I handed him the bucket, and returned to my dwelling. When I returned, 
probably some fifteen minutes afterwards, the water had been brought 
and drank up, and Iverson Reynolds was standing leaning against the 
facing of the door leading into the room where the voting was going on. 
I passed him, and went into the voting room, and never saw him after- 
wards for two months. 

2306. Question — During this difficulty, was any person wounded ? 
Answer — One w^as killed, and five wounded. 

2307. Question — What was the name of the one that was killed ? 
Answer — Antony Marshall, alias Williams. 

2308. Question — How far from the store was he killed ? 



480 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I can't say ; he was found dead, about one hundred and thirty- 
paces. 

2309. Question — ^Were you one of the jurors of the Coroner's inquest ? 
Answer — I was the Foreman of the Jury. 

2310. Question — What was the report of the jury? 

Answer — That the said Antony Marshall came to his death from the 
effect of gun-shot wounds, the shot being No. 2. 

2311. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — When you took the bucket to Iver- 
son Reynolds, about how many colored persons were in that crowd ? 

Answer — I w^ould say about sixty ? Iverson was standing a little in 
advance of any of them. 

2312. Question — Did you or did you not go among the crowd, and speak 
to some other person in that crowd except Iverson Reynolds ? 

Answer — Yes ; it was an hour i)robably previous. 

2313. Question — Do you remember of a man telling you "good morn- 
ing, Massa Mose ? " 

Answer — I do not remember. 

2314. Question — Do you remember of saying anything to that crowd? 
Answer — I do, to an old man named Cosy Marshall. 

2315. Question — Please state that conversation ? 

Answer — I said: " et tu brute ; you here too. Cosy? I expected better 
things of you." If I made a remark to any other negro in the crowxl, I 
do not recollect it. 

2316. Question — Did you or did you not say you were looking to see 
if any of your own people were there ? 

Answer — I did. I said : " See, my boys have better sense, and stay 
at home and attend to their work, and it is better for them," or something 
to that effect. 

2317. Question — Is that all that occurred there? 
Answer — Yes. 

2318. Question — About how long after that did you call on Iverson 
to bring the bucket of water ? 

Answ er — I am not certain ; I would say in the neighborhood of an 
hour. 

2319. Question — When you were about that crowd, did you observe 
whether any of the colored persons w^ei-e armed ? 

Answer — I didn't see any. 

2320. Question — About that time how many white persons were in 
and about the polls ? 

Answer — From one hundred and twenty -five to one hundred and fifty ; 
about double the number of the blacks. 

2321. Question — Do you or do you not know w^hether those persons 
were armed? 

Answer — I saw arms upon some ; some with shot guns. 

2322. Question — Was the room the poll was in adjoining your store, 
or in the same room ? 

Answer — The room adjoining the store. 

2323. Question — Did or did not a door lead out of this room right into 
the store ? 

Answer — Precisely. 

2324. Question — Was there a door also from the store on the piazza ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 481 



Answer — Yes ; one leads into the road, one into the piazza, and one 
into the room where the polls were open, 

2325. Question— Did the room they were voting in have a door open- 
ing on the piazza ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2326. Question — Did that store keep liquor for sale ? 
Answer — It did not at that time, or for months previously. 

2327. Question — Was there or was there not any liquor in that store 
that day ? 

Answer — Not a drop, to the best of my knowledge ; certainly not any 
in the store for sale, belonging to myself or partner. 

2328. Question — Did you or did you not see a keg going into the store 
that morning ? 

Answer — There was not. I was there from daylight until dark. 

2329. Question — Do you or do you not know the person who tired the 
first shot ? 

Answer — I do not. 

2330. Question — Did you or did you not hear the word of command 
given, " fire ?" 

Answer — I did not. 

2331. Question — Did you or did you not fire your piece? 
Answer — I did not. 

2332. Question — Do you or do you not know the names of the parties 
who did fire ? 

Answer — I do not. I did not see any man fire. 

2333. Question — How many shots do you suppose were fired ? 
Answer — About fifty or sixty. 

2334. Question — Do you or do you not know of shots being returned 
from the colored persons ? 

AnsAver — I do not. 

2335. Question — Do you recollect hearing any person or persons on 
that day saying if a Radical ticket was cast at that poll they would 
smell powder and lead ? 

Answer — I did not hear any such expression ; but, on the contrary, 
one of the most influential old citizens who voted at that precinct came 
to me in the morning, about the time the voting commenced, and said : 
" There are a great many strangers here — let us see to it that all be con- 
ducted quietly, and the negroes be allowed to cast their votes peaceably 
and as they choose." I answered that I would heartily co-operate Avith 
him. 

2336. Question — You stated that when you returned from your dwell- 
ing to the polls this man Iverson Reynolds Avas standing leaning against 
the facing of the door, looking in ; Avas the room thickly packed AAith 
men at that time ? 

Answer — Yes, a great many Avere in the room. 

2337. Question — Were they voting or just standing? 
Answer — Voting 

2338. Question — What was the croAvd composed of — white and colored ? 
Answer — No ; all Avhites. 

2339. Question — Do you or do you not know Avhether Iverson Rey- 
nolds got in the room or not ? 

61 



482 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I cannot say. 

2340. Question — Do you or do you not know the party or parties that 
took hold of him ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

2341. Question — Do you or do you not know whether the fuss com- 
menced with Iverson Reynolds in the building ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

2342. Question — You stated you was the Foreman of the jury of in- 
quest ; did you examine the body ? 

Answer — We stripped the body and examined it ; there was no posi 
mortem examination. 

2348. Question — Do you remember how many shots he received ? and 
if so, in what part of the body was he shot ? 

Answer — I think, five in the back, and three in the back part of the 
head ; we did not examine his arm. 

2344. Question — Do you remember whether any person or persons 
Avere standing around, except the jury of inquest? 

Answer — The family of the deceased were standing a little way ofil 

2345. Question — Do you remember of making use of any expression, 
at that time, that was not in accordance with the examination of the 
body? 

Answer — No. 

2346. Question — Did you or did you not say : " I told him some time 
ago to leave that Radical party and join the Democratic Club ? " 

Answer — I did not make use of any such expression. 

2347. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Who were the Managers of Elec- 
tion at that poll ? 

Answer — Dr. J. W. Ligon, V. Griffin and T. J. Hearst. 

2348. Question — You stated that whilst dictating a letter you heard 
scuffling outside, and some one remarked the whites and blacks or the 
blacks and whites were scuffling, and you then went into the store room 
and got your Winchester carbine, but the door was so densely crowded 
you couldn't get out there ; you then sprung out through the window into 
the piazza ; did the general firing commence before or after you got out 
the window ? 

Answer — Before. 

2349. Question — About what time in the day did this occur ? 
Answer — I think between 9 and 10 o'clock A. M. 

2350. Question — At the time you got through the window, how far 
did you go before you returned ? 

Answer — I ran one hundred and fifty yards down the road, shout- 
ing to the negroes to return, and they should be allowed to vote. 

2351. Question — Did you or did you not make some remarks, in re- 
turning, to some person or persons ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2352. Question — Do you recollect the substance of those remarks ? 
Answer — I said this thing had gone fiir enough, and too far, and the 

negroes should be allowed to vote as they have a right, and should be 
protected in their voting. 

2353. Question — Please give us the names of the persons who com- 
posed the jury of inquest? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 483 



Answer — T. A AVatson, V. Griffin, Dr. John W. Ligon, T. J. Hearst, 
T. W. Nichols, W. P. Kennedy, Marion King and myself. These are all 
I recollect. 

^354. Question — At the time the shooting became general, and the 
colored people took to flight, was there or was there not some colored per- 
sons that remained ? 

Answer — Not one. 

2355. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How many of those persons were 
mounted that you caused to dismount ? 

Answer — Three or four. 

2356. Question — How far had the negroes got away at the time that 
you stopped those persons who were pursuing ? 

Answer — From one hundred aijd fifty to three hundred yards. 

2357. Question — Please give us the names of the parties you caused to 
dismount ? 

Answer — I did not know them. 

2368. Question — About how many white persons were out of doors at 
the time this firing was going on ? 
Answer — About one hundred. 

2359. Question — Did they all appear to be in one crowd at that time ? 
Answer — No ; they were scattered along the piazza, and some distance 

on each side of the piazza. 

2360. Question — Did you recognize any persons among them, and if 
so state who ? 

Answer — Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Smith, Major White, Mr. 
Rich, Mr. Marshall and others. 

2361. Question — Were any of the persons you just mentioned members 
of the Coroner's Court, that sat upon the body of Antony Williams ? 

Answer — They wei-e. 

2362. Question — Please give the names. 
Answer — AVm. G. Kennedy was the only one. 

2363. Question — You recognized him in the crowd after the firing had 
ceased ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2364. Question — Was it the opinion of the Coroner's Court, that 
Antony Williams came to his death by shots that were fired on that oc- 
casion ? 

Answer — Yes, that was the opinion of the Court. 

2365. Question — Was it so stated in the verdict ? 
Answer — Such was the statement in the verdict. 

2366. Question — Please give us the names, if you can, of those sum- 
moned to give testimony before the Coroner's Court ? 

Answer — There was not a witness examined. 

2367. Question — None subpoenaed ? 
Answer — None that I know of 

2368. Question — What became of the records in that case ? 
Answer — The Magistrate told me he had filed them in the Clerk's 

office. 

2369. Question — Please give us the name of the Magistrate ? 
Answer — Walter G. Kellar. 

2370. Question — Did he act as Coroner on that occasion ? 



484 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I suppose he acted as Coroner. 

2371. Question — You stated that, on the morning of the day of elec- 
tion, an okl friend said to you "that the negroes must be protected, and 
allowed to vote ; " did he state that he was apprehensive of a disturb- 
ance? 

Answer — He said there were a great many strangers there. 

2372. Question — Prior to the firing did you- hear any loud talking out- 
side ? 

Answer — No. 

2373. Question — There was some conjecturing, was there not, in re- 
lation to the cause of this disturbance or riot ? 

Answer — There was no conjecturing ; there seemed to be a certainty 
of how the difficulty commenced by eye Avitnesses. 

2374. Question — You stated that the negroes showed no fight ? 
Answer — Not after I saw them when I got out of the piazza. 

2395. Question — Did you see any one of the negroes have a pistol or 
gun that day ? 
Answer — No. 

2376. Question — How far did the whites pursue them a-foot? 
Answer — I don't think they pursued them at all. 

2377. Question — Were there any colored persons in the piazza ? 
Answer — None. 

2378. Question — Any in the house ? 

Answer — None, except Iverson Reynolds, that I saw. 

2379. Question — Was not Iverson Reynolds a sort of political leader 
among the colored people ? 

AnsAver — He had the reputation of being a leader of the Radical 
party. 

2380. Question — Did he not have in his possession the Radical tickets 
on that occasion ? 

Answer — I cannot say. 

2381. Question — What had been the general deportment of the col- 
ored people in that part of the country ? 

Answer — Very good. 

2382. Question — Has it been quiet since that time ? 

Answer — Perfectly ; working better than they have at any time since 
they have been set free. 

2383. Question — To your knowledge, have any steps been taken by 
the officials in the County for the apprehension of the persons who shot 
Antony Williams and those other persons? 

Answer — Nothing more than that I Avas apprehended, together Avith 
Jos. W. Kennedy and John Butler, as the murderers. 

2384. Question — Did I understand you to say the matter Avent before 
the grand jury ? 

AnsAver — Yes. 

2385. Question — Was a true bill found ? 
AnsAver — No. 

2386. Question — At AA^hat term of the Court was that ? 
Answer — The last term of the Court, in May. 

2387. Question — Upon Avhose affidavit Avere you arrested ? 
Answer — Chief Constable Hubbard's. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S, C. 485 



2388. Question — Please give us the name of the parties who gave evi- 
dence before the grand jury on that occasion. 

Answer — There was crowd ; Iverson Reynolds, Allen Reynolds, Clair- 
borne Reynolds, Moses Reynolds, the Avidow of deceased and son, Foster 
Marshall, (I think Marshall is the surname,) Antony Lipford, and 
others I don't remember ; they were all colored. 

2389. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you know one Washington 
Reynolds, a colored man? 

Answer — I did. 

2390. Question — Was he a Democrat or Republican ? 
Answer — I cannot say. 

2391. Question — What time in the morning did the poll open? 
Answer — I can't say ; it was quite early. 

2392. Question — Were you in the voting room from the time the poll 
opened until you began dictating that letter ? 

Answer — Most of the time. 

2393. Question — What w^as the number of men in the room at the 
time you were dictating the letter ? 

Answer — About thirty ; it was quite a small room, and pretty well 
filled. 

2394. Question — Were there any colored men in the room? 
Answer — None. 

2395. Question — Do you know whether any colored man voted from 
the time the poll opened to the time this riot commenced ? 

Answer — I do not. 

2396. Question — Could you have seen a colored man vote if one had 
voted ? 

Answer — I don't think I could, as there was a crowd around the polls 
all the time. 

2397. Question — Was that crowd in the polling room from the time 
the poll opened until the riot commenced ? 

Answer — The room was pretty well crowded most of the time. 

2398. Question — Were there or were there not some colored people iden- 
tified with your party who voted during that day ? 

Answer — There were none that I know of. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

On motion, the Committee proceeded to revise testimony previously 
taken. 

On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow at 
9 A.M. 



486 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 17, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business — Mr. 
Wright acting Chairman. 

Wesley Jackson, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2399. Question — Are you a resident of Abbeville County, and if so 
how long have you lived here ? 

Answer — Yes ; lived here three years. 

2400. Question — In what part of the County do you i-eside ? 
Answer — In Cokesbury precinct. 

2401. Question — Do you vote at Cokesbury? 
Answer — Yes. 

2402. Question — Did you or did you not vote at the late general elec- 
tion? 

Answer — I did not. 

2403. Question — What were the reasons you didn't vote ? 
Answer — I could not get a ticket. 

2404. Question — What kind of a ticket did you want ? 
Answer — A Radical ticket. 

2405. Question — Were there not any Radical tickets at the poll ? 
Answer — A few only. 

2406. Question — Do you or do you not know what Avas the reason 
there were only a few there ? 

Answei' — I don't know. 

2407. Question — What did general rumor state was the cause of there 
being such a scarcity of Radical tickets at that poll ? 

Ansv.'er — That they were taken away from the man that had them. 

2408. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did your employer ever threaten 
to turn you off if you did vote the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — Yes. 

Adaline Brooks, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2409. Question — Do you live in this County. 
Answer — Yes ; three miles from the court house. 

2410. Question — How long have you lived in the County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

2411. Question — With whom do you live ? 
Answer — Mosely Edwards. 

2412. Question — How long have you been living with Mr. Edwards ? 
Answer — Two years. 

2413. Question — Were you acquainted with one James Martin, of this 
County. 

Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 487 



2414. Question — Where is lie now ? 
Answer — He is dead. 

2415. Question — Do you know anything in relation to his death? 
Answer — Nothing more than what I heard Mr. Henry Shoemaker say. 

2416. Question — Please state what you heard Mr. Henry Shoemaker 
say? 

Answer — On the next night after Mr. Martin was killed I heard him 
say that he searched Mr. Martin's pockets, and Mr. Shoemaker's father 
said : " Henry, who saw you go up to him ? " He said : " Nobody but the 
crowd." He said : " When we ordered Mr. Martin to get down off of 
his mule, he got down, with his head hung down like a cut tail dog, and 
we ordered him to run six yards, and then he run up on the slant of the 
hill and we shot him ; and then Martin struggled down the hill, and got 
his face in the mud and water, and then I searched his pockets." There 
was a partition between us, and I could not see them ; but I heard his 
father say : " Henry, give it to me — let me see it." His father said : " The 
balance of his family will not hold high heads off of that much." His 
father said : " Henry, you ought not to have killed him, you ought to 
have shot and wounded him ; so people would see it and know what it 
Avas for." The father, (Oliver Shoemaker,) said : " Now, if you will go 
on and get INIilford, Dusenberry and Lemuel Guffin, the country will be 
at some peace." Henry said : " I wouldn't be afraid to bet a hundred 
dollars that before Saturday night Milford will go up ; because the club 
who killed Martin went right on after Milford." The father asked, " Which 
way did the club go out ?" Henry said they went out the back way 
of Mrs. Gillam's, and got into the snake road at Lemuel Guffin's, and 
went on to the village, but he had a way of his own to come from the 
crowd. There was more talk, but in such a low tone I could not hear 
what it was. 

2417. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — On the day Mr. Martin was 
killed, did you see Mr. Shoemaker at home ? 

Answer — He came to the village that morning, and returned between 
9 and 10 o'clock that night. 

2418. Question — Do you know whether he was armed that morning 
when he left home ? 

Answer — Yes ; he had a pistol. 

2419. Question — Did he leave home on horseback ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2420. Question — What was the color of the horse he rode ? 
Answer — A large whitish gray horse. 

2421. Question — What was the color of his clothes when he left home 
that morning ? 

Answer — Dark breeches, and white linen coat. 

2422. Question — Did you hear him make any remarks, prior to start- 
ing from home ? 

Answer — No. 

2423. Question — After Henry Shoemaker returned that evening, be- 
tween 9 and 10 o'clock, did you hear him make any remarks to Lis 
father ? 

Answer — Yes. He said : " We have put old Sneak up." His father 
replied it was a fine thing it was done ; it ought to have been done long 



488 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ago, and said : " Henry, go down to-morrow morning, and see how they 
come out with the jury." 

2424. Question — Did you hear any remarks made next morning? 
Answer — No ; he had started down to Dr. Reed's before I got up. 

2425. Question — How do you know he started down to Dr. Reed's? 
Answer — I heard him say the night before he must get uj) early and 

go down to Dr. Reed's. 

2426. Question — The day he started down to Dr. Reed's, what time 
did he return ? 

Answer — About two hours after dark. 

2427. Question — Did you or did you not hear Henry Shoemaker say 
Avho accompanied him at the time that he killed James Martin ? 

Answer — No, I could not hear him call but one man's name. 

2428. Question — What was that man's name ? 
Answer — Mr. Belcher. 

2429. Question — Was Mr. H. Shoemaker in the habit of receiving 
company ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2430. Question — Do you know Avhether he received any company im- 
mediately preceding the killing of Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — A week before there were four strange men there Avhom I 
never saw before, and that I didn't know. 

2431. Question — Did you or did you not hear Mr. Shoemaker call 
them by name ? 

Answer — No ; they came about bed time. 

2432. Question — Did you see their features ? 
Answer— Yes. 

2433. Question — Would you know them if you should see them again ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2434. Question — Did you sleep in the room where you were at the 
time you heai'd the conversation ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2435. Question — Do you knoAV whether there was any other person in 
the room where you heard the conversation going on ? 

Answer — No one at all. 

2436. Question — Were you ever summoned as a witness ? 
Answer — Yes ; I stated it to Mr. Guffin about Christmas. 

2437. Question — Do you know what Mr. GufBn did in the matter ? 
Answer — Yes, he arrested him. 

2438. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Where do you live ? 
Answer — At Moses Edwards'. 

2439. Question — How long have you lived there ? 
Answer — About two years. 

2440. Question — Where did you live before you came to Mr. Ed- 
wards' ? 

Answer — I lived at Mr, Oliver Shoemaker's. 

2441. Question — When did you leave Mr. Oliver Shoemaker ? 
Answer — Three weeks before last Christmas. 

2442. Question —How long had you lived with Mr. Oliver Shoemaker? 
Answer — Three months. 

2443. Question — Where does Oliver Shoemaker live ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 489 



Answer — About a mile from Mr. Edwards', where I now live. 

2444. Question — When did this conversation occur between Henry- 
Shoemaker and his father, which you have just stated ? 

Answer — On the next night after Mr. Martin was killed. 

2445. Question — Do you know when Mr. Martin was killed ? 
Answer — I don't remember the day of the month ; I recollect it was 

on a Monday, a sale day. 

2446. Question — Did you see him killed ? 
Answer — No. 

2447. Question — Did you see his body after he was killed ? 
Answer — No. 

2448. Question — How do you know he was killed ? 
Answer — Mr. Shoemaker said he was killed. 

2449. Question — Who first told you Mr. Martin had been killed ? 
Answer — Mr. Henry Shoemaker. 

2450. Question — When did he tell you he was killed ? 
Answer — He told it the same night, between 9 and 10 o'clock. 

2451. Question — What day of the week was it he told you '{ 
Answer — On Monday. 

2452. Question — At what time of day did he tell you this ? 
Answer — Between 9 and 10 o'clock at night. 

2453. Question — Where were you when he told it ? 
Answer — In the house. 

2454. Question — In whose house ? 
Answer — In Shoemaker's house ? 

2455. Question — Who were present when he told it ? 

Answer — All the family — four in family— one John, one Billy, his 
mother, Carolina, and his father, Oliver. 

2456. Question — Were you in the same room they were when you 
heard this? 

Answer — No, I was in my room lying on my pallet. 

2457. Question — How far was your room from the room where the 
f^imily were when this occurred ? 

Answer — There was just a partition between us. 

2458. Question — Was the house a brick or a wooden house ? 
Answer — \ wooden house. 

2459. Question — Was it a log house or a fi-amed house ? 
Answer — A framed house. 

2460. Question — Was it sealed or plastered ? 
Answer — Sealed. 

2461. Question — Was there a door opening from your room into the 
room where the family were ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2462. Question — Was the door opened or closed ? 
Answer — Open. 

2463. Question — Had the family retired when Henry returned home ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2464. Question — How long had they been abed ? 
Answer — More than an hour. 

2465. Question — How long had you been abed ? 
Answer — About half an hour. 

62 



490 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2466. Question — Had you been asleep ? 
Answer — No. 

2467. Question — Did you see Henry, when he came home that night ? 
Answer — No. 

2468. Question — How, then, do you know it was Henry? 
Answer — I knew him well, by his voice and his walk. 

2469. Question — What were the words you heard passed between Henry 
and the family, after he came in ? 

Answer — His father asked him what was the news about the town. 
He said : " Good news about the town." His father asked what it was. 
He said : " We put old Sneak Martin up." 

2470. Question — Did they speak in a low tone of voice ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2471. Question — Is that all you heard said that night ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2472. Question — When did this conversation, which you have already 
stated, about searching Mr. Martin's pockets, occur ? 

Answer — On the next night. 

2473. Question — Where were you when this conversation occurred ? 
Answer — In my room, lying down on my pallet. 

2474. Question — What time of night was it? 
Answer — About two hours after dark ? 

2475. Question — Had any of the family been absent that day ? 
Answer — Yes; Henry. 

2476. Question — What time did he return home? 
Answer — About two hours after dark. 

2477. Question — Had the family gone to bed ? 
Answer — No. 

2478. Question — How long had you been abed ? 
Answer — Had not gone to bed ; had just lain down. 

2479. Question — Did you see Henry that night, after he returned 
home ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2480. Question— Where did you see him ? 
Answer — In the house. 

2481. Question — Did you get up when he came? 
Answer — Yes ; got up and gave him his supper- 

2482. Question — How long after he came home did this conversation 



occur : 



Answer — Just as soon as he eat his supper ; I went and laid on my bed, 
and then he commenced talking. 

2483. Question — Was the door between your room and the room 
where the family were open or shut ? 

Answer — Open. 

2484. Question — Please state precisely the conversation that occurred 
in regard to the death of Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — When he sat down he bursted out in a laugh ; Mr. Oliver 
Shoemaker said : " Henry, what is the matter?" He said : " We put old 
Sneak Martin up so slick yesterday evening." His father said : " Henry, 
who saw you go up to him V He said : " None but the crowd ; and 
when we ordered him down, he got down Avith his head hung down like 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 491 



a cut-tail dog ; and then we ordered him to run, (it was about six yards ;) 
and when he ran up on the slant of the hill we shot him, and he rolled 
down the hill and got his fece in mud and water, and I searched his 
pockets sufficient." His father said : " Give it to me, Henry," and said : 
" The balance of his family shall not hold high heads off of that much." 
His father said : " Henry, you ought not to have killed him dead, you 
ought to have shot and wounded him, so people would know what it was 
for ;" and Henry said : " No ; if we had not killed him dead he would 
have been able to have told who did it." 

2475. Question — Was there a light in the room where the family were 
at the time this conversation occurred ? 

Answer — Yes. 

248G. Question — Were you lying where you could see into the room 
where the family were sitting at the time this conversation occurred ? 

Answer — No. 

Jonas McDowell, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2487. Question — Are you a citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2488. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

2489. Question — In what part of the County do you reside ? 
Answer — In Greenwood precinct. 

2190. Question — Were you living at the same place you do now at the 
time of the Presidential election? 

Answer — Yes ; with Mr. John Searles, about three miles from Green- 
wood. 

2491. Question — Did you or did you not have any difficulty while 
living on Mr. Searles' place ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2492. Question— What was that difficulty ? 

Answer — The night before the election, on Monday night, they came 
in and said they were Ku Ivlux ; they charged over the fei^ce ; their 
horses were covered with white ; they asked where was Jonas' house, and 
then they came and called Jonas ; I would not ausAver ; I had the door 
bolted, and they took an axe and knocked down the door and came in. 
An old gentleman and myself were lying in the bed together ; the old 
gentleman said to them : " Massa Billy, I know the last one of you." 
They took me out and knocked me on the mouth, and knocked my tooth 
out, and knocked me on the head with a piece of fence rail, and took me 
up the road, two hundred yards from the house, and asked me where were 
those tickets I had to give out to the people to vote at Greenwood box ; 
and then they commenced knocking me about, and one young man said : 
" Don't beat him so." They asked if I wouldn't come up to-morrow and 
give them a Democrat vote, as they had always been my friend. 

2493 Question — What became of that other old man that was with 
you in the house ? 

Answer — He escaped out of the house. 

2494. Question — How many were in that crowd ? 

Answer — Looked as though there were eighteen or twenty. 



492 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2495. Question — You stated that the horses were covered with white ; 
were the men disguised ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2496. Question — Did they have anything on their faces ? 
Answer — I can't tell. 

2497. Question — Did they do any shooting ? 

Answer — Yes ; they shot about the yard fifteen or twenty^times. 

2498. Question — Did you see any arms on their persons ? 
Answer — Yes ; pistols. 

3499. Question — Did you or did you not go to Greenwood on the next 
day to vote ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2500. Question — Did you or did you not vote on that day? 
Answer — No. 

2501. Question — What were the reasons you didn't vote? 

Answer — We met an old man coming from the box. He told us that 
he went up to vote, and they told him that the first damned man who 
voted a Radical ticket tliey would shoot him down ; and then we turned 
back, and gave our tickets up to an old man to bring to the village to 
Capt. DeKnight, who was here at that time, and we returned home to 
our work. 

2502. Question — Do you or do you not know of any colored person 
voting at that box that day ? 

Answer — I don't know that any voted. 

2503. Question — Did you see any white persons at the polls ? 
Answer — Yes, plenty of them. 

2504. Question — Were those white men armed ? 
Answ^er — The greater part I saw were armed. 

2505. Question — Did you see what kind of arms they had ? 
Answer — Pistols buckled around them. 

2506. Question — Do you know of any shooting occurring at the polls 
that day ? 

Answer — No. 

2507. Question — Do you or do you not know of any person or persons 
being shot, killed, or whipped, prior to that day '/ 

AnsAver — No. 

2508. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did any body threaten you that 
day? 

Answer — No. 

2509. Question — Did you go to the poll and oflJer to vote ? 
Answ^er — No. 

On motion, at 2:15 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet on Mon- 
day next at 9 A. M. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 493 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 19, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M., and pro- 
ceeded to business — Mr. Wright acting Chairman. 

A. C. Hawthorne, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2510. Question — Are you a citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2511. Question — In what election precinct do you reside ? 
Answer — Due West. 

2512. Question — Where were you on the day of the last Presidential 
election ? 

Answer— At Due West, where the poll Avas held ? 

2513. Question — Was there any disturbance at Due AVest on the day 
of election ? 

Answer — None Avhatever. 

2514. Question — Who were the Managers at that poll ? 
Answer— R. W. Hadden, James M. Cochran, and R. W. Crawford ? 

2515. Question — Were those Managers duly sworn ? 
Answer — I do not know ; I was not at the box when opened. 

2516. Question — How long did you remain about the poll that day ? 
Answer — Probably not more than half an hour. 

2517. Question — During the time that you remained at the poll, was 
the election conducted strictly according to law ? 

Answer — I saw nothing to the contrary ; while I was there but few 
people were present ; I don't think I saw more than three votes cast at 
the time I was present. 

2518. Question — During the few months which immediately preceded 
the last general election, were there any outrages perpetrated in your 
community ? 

Answer — None, to my knowledge. 

2519. Question — AYere you one of the Commissioners of Election for 
this County. 

Answer — I was. 

2520. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, Avas the 
election at the various precincts in the County conducted in strict con- 
formity to law. 

Answer — I cannot say positively, as I was not present at the various 
boxes ; my impression was, from the knowledge I had of the country, that 
there was too large a vote at some boxes, especially so at Moseley's box, 
near the Edgefield line. 

2521. Question — Has it come to your knoAvledge, either from personal 
observation or from satisfactory testimony, that there were irregularities 
at any box in Abbeville County at the late Presidential election ? 

Answer — It has not. 



494 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2522. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How many voting precincts were 
there in the County '/ 

Answer — I think about eighteen at that time. 

2523. Question — How many colored persons were appointed as Mana- 
gers of election ? 

Answer — Not any ; they Avere all white men. 

2524. Question — Who ran for Solicitor in this Circuit ? 
Answer — Mr. Fleming and Mr. McGowan. 

2525. Question — Which was successful ? 
Answer — Mr. McGowan. 

2526. Question — Were there as many votes cast at Moseley's box for 
Solicitor as there were for President? 

Answer — I cannot recollect now. 

2527. Question — About how many votes were cast at Moseley's box. 
Answer — I think something about five hundred, may be a little over. 

2528. Question — About how many legal voters in the precinct. 
Answer — I cannot say exactly ; it used to be one hundred and fifty 

strong. 

2529. Question — Were the registration books returned to you for 
examination ? 

Answer — No. 

2530. Question — Who were the canvassers of election ? 
Answer — There were none. 

2531. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Were you present when the Mana- 
gers of the various boxes were appointed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2532 Question — Do you know whether any of those Managers were 
sworn according to law ? 
Answer — I do not know. 

2533. Question — Do you know whether the Managers at the box at 
which you voted were sworn ? 

Answer — I don't know ; I was not there when the box opened. 

2534. Question — Did or did not the Managers of the election make 
their returns to the Commissioners of Election ? 

Answer — They did. 

2535. Question — Did they not also return the box Avith the votes ? 
Answer — No ; there were a few boxes returned ; but I am confident 

they were not all returned. 

2536. Question — Did the Commissioners of Election declare who were 
elected ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2537. Question — Did they do it without canvassing the vote ? 
Answer — We declared it from the Managers' returns, and not from a 

canvass of the votes. 

On motion, at 1 P. M , the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 495 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

Hutson J. Lomax, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

2538. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

2539. Question — In what part of the County were you living imme- 
diately preceding the late Presidential election? 

Answer — At Abbeville Court House. 

2540. Question— ^Do you know of any outrages' committed, prior to or 
at the late general election ? if so, please state. 

Answer — I have seen men after they were shot, and numbers that had 
been beaten, but did not see it done. 

2541. Question — Did you vote at the late general election? 
Answer — I did not. 

2542. Question — Please state the reason why you did not vote ? 
Answer — There was nothing prevented me from voting in the way of 

intimidation. On the day of election I was sick, but I came to the poll 
to vote, and didn't stay but five or ten minutes. At that time the poll 
was much crowded with men, and I didn't stay. I did intend to return 
in the afternoon and vote, but a crowd of men, between sixty and sev- 
enty-five, came from White Hall to my house, and reported that they 
could not vote ; that the white people would not allow them to vote. 
Some of them were shot. A crowd from Calhoun Mills called the same 
afternoon, and said they had been driven from the poll. One of that 
crowd was shot in the shoulder. 

2543. Question — Was there any disturbance at Abbeville Court House 
poll? 

Answer — None that I know of. 

2544. Question — Were you or were you not Chairman of the Re- 
publican State Central Executive Committee for this County at that 
time? 

Answer — I was. 

2545. Question — Did any persons make an attempt to take the elec- 
tion tickets from you ? 

Answer — No ; my house was guarded all the time. 

2546. Question — Was there an attempt made to take tickets from any 
of your deputies ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

2547. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, was it safe, 
on the day of election, at the various polls throughout the County, for 
any person or persons to issue Republican tickets ? 

Answer — I don't think it was. 

2548. Question — Were you in town the day Mr. Martin was killed ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2549. Question — Do you know any of the facts in connection with the 
murder of Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — I do not. 



496 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2550. Question — Did you see Mr. Martin in town on the day that lie 
was killed ? 

Answer — Yes ; between 2 and 3 o'clock P. M. 

2551. Question — Did Mr. Martin make any remarks to you previous 
to leaving town ? 

Answer — He did. 

2552. Question — Please state those remarks ? 

Answer — About the time he was getting ready to start home, he said 
to me " Good-bye." He said he wanted to hurry up to catch his wagon, 
as he wanted to get in company with the man driving the Avagon, as he was 
afraid to go home by himself. He said he believed if he went home by 
himself they would kill him. 

2558. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Did you or did you not hear any 
threats made by the Democratic party in regard to laborers ? 

Answer — I heard those threats as a general thing during the cam- 
paign. 

2554. Question — Please state what those general threats were? 
Answer — That those who voted the Radical ticket would be turned off' 

of the plantations, and should not have lauds to work, or houses to live 
in. 

2555. Question — Did or did not Mr. Randolph stop at your house at 
at the time he came here to address the people? 

Answer — Yes. 

2556. Question — Did he or did he not tell you about some difficulty 
he had at Hodges' Depot 't 

Answer — Yes. 

2557. Question — Please stat€ what he told you, and with whom he had 
the difficulty ? 

Answer — He said he and D. Wyatt Aiken had some words. Aiken 
approached him, and said : " Is this Randolph ?" He replied : " Yes." 
Aiken said : " You damned black son of a bitch, you have no business 
here." tie also said, if all the white men were like him, Randolph 
should not put his foot again in that car. (Mr. Randolph was walking 
on the station platform.) Mr. Randolph told him he Avas going in that 
car, and going to Abbeville to speak. Aiken told him if he went there 
and spoke he should never see Columbia again. 

2558. Question — Did Mr. Randolph come and make a speech ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2559. Question — Did he return on the next day ? 
Answer — He did the day after he spoke. 

2560. Question — Did Mr. Randolph reach Columbia after making the 
speech ? 

Answer — Not alive. 

2561. Question — You stated that he didn't reach Columbia alive; was 
he killed on his way to Columbia ? 

Answer — He left here to go to Anderson, and was killed at Hodges' 
Depot. 

2562. Question — Do you or do you not know anything more in rela- 
tion to the killing of Mr. B. F. Randolph ? 

Answer — I do not. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 497 



2563. Question — Were you or were you not appointed as one of the 
Commissioners of Election for Abbeville County? 

Answer — Yes. 

2564. Question — Do you know whether the election at the various 
polls in the County was conducted according to law? 

Answer — I assisted in the appointment of the Managers ; whether all 
of them acted in accordance with the law or not I can't say. 

2565. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you, in conjunction with the 
other Commissionei's, have any trouble in the api^ointment of Managers? 

Answer — Yes, considerable disagreement. 

2566. Question — Please state what that disagreement was about ? 

Answer — I wanted to appoint one colored man as Manager at each pre- 
cinct ; the other two Commissioners were white men, and they overruled 
me and wouldn't agree for a colored man to be appointed. 

2567. Question — What were the names of those other Commissioners of 
Election ? 

Answer — A. C. Hawthorne and Mr. Tarrant, (J. I\.., I think.) We 
were in session from 9 A. M. until 5 P. M., without intermission or ad- 
journment, in argument concerning the appointment of colored men as 
Managers. They further stated that if the conversation was known out- 
side that I had in the room, (concerning the appointment of colored men 
as Managers,) I would be killed before Saturday night. I told them I 
didn't think it anything but right and just to appoint one colored man 
to each voting precinct, as colored men had a right to vote as well as the 
Avhite men. They both promised they would not repeat the conversation 
outside. 

2568. Question — Were you threatened prior to the election ? 
Answer — I had threats made against me by Sam Hodges, who was Tax 

Collector at that time. He lives in Cokesbury. He said he got out of 
his bed that morning, and came up hereon purpose to see me, as a friend, 
to advise me to join the Democratic Club, and said if I did not do it I 
would be killed as sure as the sun shined. I told him I could not be a 
Democrat ; and he said if I did not join the Democratic Club I would be 
killed, world without end, and at the same time striking upon the table 
with his hst. He said he knew that I had guards at home to guard me 
every night, but that was nothing, as they would come and kill me, in 
spite of all that me and my guards could do, if I didn't join the Democratic 
Club. I told hira I had about seventy-hve old muskets over there, and 
all loaded with ])uck shot ; and if any of them came over there they 
Avould get killed. He said they would kill me if they had to do it in the 
day-time, and it would be done by unknown parties, and said they had 
men oil' who would come here and do jobs for them whenever they wanted 
them done, and whenever they wanted a job done, they had men here to 
go there and do it for them. I told him if I was killed he would be held 
responsible, and I told him I intended to report the conversation, and I 
did report it to Mr. Cothran, Chairman of the Democratic Central Club 
of this County, and he told me when they had their next Cltib meeting 
he would mention it. I received several Ku Klux letters. I received 
one last week. 

2569. Question — Do you know anything of a band of men called Ku 

63 



498 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Klux, that Avent about tlie country intimidating or preventing colored 
people from exercising the right of suffrage ? 

Answer — I don't know, only that one man told me he belonged to 
them. 

2570. Question — "What was the name of that man ? 
Answer — Mr. Davis — his initials are, I think, B. A. 

2571. Question — How was it he came to mention the fact to you that 
he was connected with the Ku Klux ? 

Answer — It came up in conversation in reference to the guard I had 
last fall. He said : " If the Ku Klux had come there you and your 
guard of niggers would run." I told him it wouldn't have been good 
for them to have tried it, as some of them would have got killed. He 
said he belonged to the Ku Klux, and had he wanted to have come there 
he would have come, and would not have been afraid of being hurt. 

2572. Question — Why was it that you kept a guard around your house 
prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — I was advised to do so by friends who belonged to the Demo- 
cratic Club ; they said there was a band of men around here who would 
kill me. 

2573. Question — From what you could see and hear, did you believe 
to be true what those members of the Democratic Club had informed 
you? 

Answer — I did. 

2574. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Where did you get your guard ? 
Answer — From the town and about the country. 

2575. Question — How many men were there ? 

Answer — Sometimes ten, and at other times seventy-five. 

2576. Question — Did you raise the company yourself? 

Answer — The colored men believed I was in danger, and they came 
there to guard me at night. 

2577. Question — Where did you get guns and ammunition ? 
Answer — Most of them had guns ; I purchased a great deal of the 

ammunition. 

2578. Question — You stated that, in a conversation with Mr. Hodges, 
you said that you had seventy-five muskets ? 

Answer — It was the muskets the men had that were guarding me ; 
they would leave them in my house during the day. 

2579. Question — Do you know Avhere those men got those muskets ? 
Answer — I do not. 

2580. Question — You have stated that your life was threatened pre- 
vious to the election ; were these threats made by the leading members of 
the Democratic party generally, or were they made by certain desperate 
characters throughout the County ? 

Answer^-I said it was threatened by Mr. Sam Hodges, who was then a 
tax collector. 

2581. Question — Was he one of the leading Democrats in this County ? 
Answer — J don't know ; he belonged to the Democratic Club, so he 

told me, and also came from Cokesbury to tell me, as a friend, that if I 
didn't join the Democratic Club I Avould be killed. 

2582. Question — Can you mention any leading Democrat that threat- 
ened you ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 499 



Answer — I had Mr. Cothran, who was Chairman of the Democratic 
Central Club, to tell me that my life was in danger. I told him I thought 
it was too. 

2583. Question — Did you consider that a threat ? 
Answer — No, it was not a threat. 

2584. Question — You state that Hodges came from Cokesbury, and said 
that he would tell you, as a friend, that your life was in danger if you 
didn't join the Democratic Club ; did you consider that a threat ? 

Answer — I didn't say that he told me my life was in danger, but he 
told me that I would be killed, world without end, if I didn't join the 
Democratic Club. His conversation didn't run as a friend's ; he repeated 
it three times, striking violently on the table with his fist. 

2585. Question — Do you consider that as a threat ? 
Answer — I do. 

2586. Question — Well, then, I understand you in this wise : tliat when 
you say that your life has been threatened, you mean that some person 
has come to you, as a friend, and warned you of danger ? 

Answer — I considered it a warning, and a threat also ; because he said : 
" That Ave have men that will come here and do a job for us whenever 
we want it done ; you will be killed, if it has got to be done, in the day- 
time, and by parties unknown." 

2587. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Are you a member of the General 
Assembly ? 

Answer — I am. 

On motion, at 5:30 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morroAV 
at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 20, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

Charles McCasley, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr, Smalls : 

2588. Question — Are you a citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — I am ; was born and bred here. 

2589. Question — What portion of the County do you reside in ? 
Answer — I live about three miles from Calhoun Mills. 

2590. Question — How far is that from the court house ? 
Answer — About thirteen miles. 

2591. Question — Did you go to the box on the day of election at 
Calhoun Mills, for the purpose of voting ? 

Answer — I did not; as I was sick. 

2592. Question — How long were you sick prior to the election ? 
Answer — One Aveek. 

2593. Question — Prior to the time you took sick, did you or did you 



500 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



not know of auy person or persons Avho were threatened to be turned off 
if they voted the Radical ticket ? and if so, jilease state what you knoAv 
about it. 

Answer — A man came to me about one month before the voting and 
asked me which way I was going to vote ; I said I Avas going to vote a 
Republican ticket, and he said to me : " I am a friend to you." I said : 
" Where does your friendship lie." And he said : " If you don't vote 
with me, on Christmas day you will have to leave my place." I said to 
him : " The land is yours ; but that is not the promise you made me." I 
said : " You remember you told me to come on your land, and you would go 
half of the expenses." He spoke to me, after the voting, and said : " Did 
you vote "/ " I said : " No ; I was sick ;" and he said : " You may thank 
your God that you were sick, for if you had voted you would have been 
a dead man." He said there were two or three more he wanted to see, 
to get them off, so that they Avould not be killed. 

2594. Question — What is the name of the person who said this ? 

Answer — Oliver McCassel. 

-595. Question — Was he a white or colored man? 

Answer — A white man. 

2596. Question — Do you knov/ anything about a body of men travel- 
ing through the country called Ku Klux or Bushwhackers ? 

Answer — I do not ; I have heard of them. 

2597. Question — Do you know anything about the killing of Mr. 
James Martin? 

Answer — I do not. 

2598. Question — Do you know anything about the killing of Mr. B. 
F. Randolph ? 

Answer — I do not. 

2599. Question — Do you know of the shooting or whipping of any per- 
son or persons ? 

Answer — I do not ; I have only heard of it. 

2600. Qnestion (by Mr. Bryant) — Who was it that attempted to intim- 
idate you from voting ? 

Answer — Oliver McCassel. 

2601. Question — Did he say he would drive you off his jilace if you 
voted the Republican ticket, or simply that he would not employ you 
another year? 

Answer — He said that he would not employ me another year if I voted 
the Republican ticket, for I should leave his place. 

2602. Question — Did you have a lease for any portion of his land for 
the next year ? 

Answer — I did not ; but had a verbal contract. 

2603. Question — You stated that whatever the Club said do, they had 
it to do ? 

Answer — I stated that Mr. McCassel said so to me. 

Thomas Good, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2604. Question — What portion of Abbeville County do you reside in ? 
AnsAver— At White Hall. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 501 



2605. Question — Were you living at White Hall precinct at tlie late 
general election ? 

Answer — I Avas. 

2606. Question — Did you go to White Hall poll on the clay of elec- 
tion? 

Answer — I did. 

2607. Question — Did you vote on that day ? 
Answer — No, sir ; they would not let me vote. 

2608. Question — Who would not let you vote ? 
Answer — It was the Democratic party shot at us. 

2609. Question — How many were in the party who shot at you ? 
Answer — I don't know how many, but I should think, as near as I can 

come at it, about sixty or seventy. 

2610. Question — Were they all armed ? 

Answer — Yes, sir ; they were armed with pistols and guns. 

2611. Question—How many colored persons Avere at the poll ? 
AnsAver — About fifty or sixty. 

2612. Question — Do you know any of that party Avho fired upon you? 
AnsAver — Yes, sir, I do. 

2613. Question — Please state the names of those you knoAV ? 
Answer — I kncAV Mr. Mose Taggart and Henry Watson. 

2614. Question — Did you see who fired the first shot ? 

AnsAver — I did not ; but saAV Mr. Tai^gart and Watson when they shot. 

2615. Question — When you saAV Mr. Taggart and Watson shoot, Avas 
it before or after the croAvd commenced shooting ? 

Answer — After ; for Avhen the shooting first commenced I heard Mr. 
Taggart say : " Fail in, boys." 

2616. Question — Did you see Mr. Taggart shoot at any particular 
person ? 

AnsAver — I saAv him run after and shoot at my brother, Iverson Rey- 
nolds, Avhen he Avas running. 

2617. Question — Do you knoAV Avhether he hit him or not ? 
AnsAver — He never hit him. 

2618. Q,uestion — Do you know Avhere Mr. Taggart Avas when the firing 
first commenced ? 

Answer — He was in the piazza. 

2619. Question — Did you hear him say anything ? 
Answer — Nothing more than " Fall in, boys." 

2620. Question — Did the men fall in after he said so ? 
AnsAver — They did. 

2621. Question — Please state Avhat occurred after the men fell in ? 
AnsAver — I have stated all I saAV ; they fell in and commenced firing. 

2622. Question — Did you go in the store that day? 
Answer — I only Avent in the piazza. 

2623. Question — Did you see any one coming out of the store Avith 
liquor ? 

AnsAver — I did not see any one drink a dram that day. 

2624. Question — When that shooting occurred, do you knoAV of any 
person or persons Avho Avere hit ? and if so, state Avho. 

AnsAver — Antony Marshall Avas killed; Reuben Marshall, Jackson 
Grifiiu and Dick Bradley Avere shot. 



502 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2625. Question — Did you see Antony Marshall after he was killed? 
Answer — I did not? 

2626. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — How old are you ? 
Answer — Twenty-one years old. 

2627. Question — When were you twenty-one years old ? 

Answer — I was tAventy-one years old the last of last year ; I was told 
by the man who OAvned me. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 
Iverson Reynolds, (colored,) recalled. 

2628. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Mr. Reynolds were you sum- 
moned before the grand jury at the last Court, to testify concerning the 
killing of Antony Williams? 

Answer — I was not summoned ; but was told to come by Mr. George 
IMatthews. 

2629. Question — Did Mr. Matthews state to you for what purpose they 
Avanted you ? 

Answer — He did not. 

2630. Question — On Avhat day did he state that you were Avanted here? 
Answer — I have forgotten ; but I came on a Sunday ; I think he 

simply asked me to come that Aveek. 

2631. Question — After you came here, did you learn what you Avere 
sent for? 

Answer — I did. 

2632. Question — Who questioned you Avhen you went before the grand 
jury ? 

AnsAver — Mr. James Taggart, brother to Dr. Taggart, is the only man 
I kncAV ; but there Avere several others ; Avhen I said that Dr. Taggart shot 
at me, one of them said : " By God, I have heard that enough ; " but I did 
not knoAV him. 

2633. Question — Did they alloAV you to state Avhat you desired ? 
AnsAver — They did ; but Avhen I said the second time that Dr. Taggart 

shot at me, then it Avas that that man said Avhat he did. 

Frank Johnson, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

2634. Question — Hoav long have you lived in Abbeville County ? 
AnsAver — About thirteen years. 

2635. Question — At what voting precinct Avere you living prior to and 
at the late general election ? 

AnsAver — At White Hall. 

2636. Question — Did you vote at the late general election ? 
Answer — I did not. 

2637. Question — Why did you not vote ? 
Answer — They would not let us vote. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 503 



2638. Question — Who would not let you vote ? 
Answer — The Doctor said we should not vote. 

2639. Question— What Doctor? 
Answer — Dr. Mose Taggart. 

2640. Question — At what time did he say this ? 

Answer — A few days before the election, he came around and told those 
of us who were working for him, (five of us.) 

2641. Question — State what he said to you ? 

Answer — He said : " Frank and Frank again, and Jim and Wash, and 
Chapel Cothran, the very first one of you who goes to that box and votes a 
Kadical ticket, I will blow an auger-hole in you ; if I don't, I hope God 
may damn me." 

2642. Question — Did you attempt to vote on the day of election ? 
Answer — I did. 

2643. Question — Who was it that prevented you from voting ? 
Answer — Dr. Taggart ; he came with two pistols fastened around him, 

and said that we should not vote. 

2644. Question — About what time in the day did you get to the poll ? 
Answer — Between 8 and 9 o'clock A. M. 

2645. Question — About what time did you leave the poll ? 
Answer — I think, about 10 o'clock. 

2646. Question — Who had charge of the Radical tickets that day ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

2647. Question — Were you there when Dr. Taggart called Iverson 
Reynolds to bring a bucket of water ? 

Answer — I was. 

2648. Question — About what time was this ? 
Answer — Shortly after we got there. 

2649. Question — Give us a statement of what occurred when Iverson 
Reynolds brought the Avater. 

AnsAver — He brought it, and carried it to the door and handed it in, 
and leaned against the side of the door; and while there a white man 
caught hold of him and asked him what he was doing there. Iverson 
Reynolds said : " I have as much business here as you." And W'lien he 
told him that he took hold of Reynolds, and as soon as he took hold of 
him Iverson brought him out doors hanging to him, and then they com- 
menced firing, and as they fired upon us we ran. 

2650. Question — Who fired, white or colored men ? 
Answer — White men. 

2651. Question — What was the name of the person who took hold of 
Reynolds i* 

Answer — Pick Holloway. 

2652. Question — At the time Holloway took hold of Reynolds, did 
you see Dr. Taggart ? 

Answer — I did not see him, as he went in the room before Holloway 
took hold of him. 

2653. Question — Do you knoAv the name of the person who fired the 
first shot ? 

Answer — I do not. 

2654. Question — Did you know one Antony Marshall ? 
Answer — I did. 



504 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2655. Question — Did you notice where he was when the firing com- 
menced ? 

Answer — I did ; he was sitting on the other side of the road. 

2656. Question — About how far was Antony Marshall sitting from the 
voting room at that time ? 

Answer — About thirty yards off. 

^657. Question — Were there many colored persons about Antony 
Marshall at that time ? 

Answer — Yes, sir ; there were many of them sitting on the fence. 

2658. Question — At the time the firing commenced how near were 
you to the voting room ? 

Answer — About the same distance off Antony Marshall was. 

2659. Q.uestion — Do you know whether any person or persons that 
were in the room came out and fired ? 

Answer — I do not. 

2660. Question — Do you know whether Dr. Taggart fired or not ? 
Answer — I do not know. 

2661. Question — Did you hear any word of com'mand given to fire? 
Answer — I did not ; we all left as soon as we could get away. 

2662. Question — Did you return to the poll that day ? 
Answer — No, sir. 

2663. Question — Do you know of any person or persons who were 
killed or wounded on that day ? 

Answer — Dick Bradley was wounded, and Wad. Hollo way was 
wounded. 

2664. Question — How do you know they were wounded ? 
Answer — I saw them. 

2665. Question — How far did you go before you stopped running, on 
that occasion ? 

Answer — About a quarter of a mile. 

2666. Question — Did the wounded men that you speak of show you 
their wounds ? 

Answer — They did ; I looked at them good. 

2667. Question — After that, did you continue to Avork for Dr. Mose 
Taggart ? 

Answer — I did not. 

2668. Question — State the reason why ? 
Answer — Because he would not let us stay there. 

2669. Question — State wliat he said to you ? 

Answer — He said no man should stay on his plantation who did not 
obey his orders ; he did not care who lie was. 

2670. Question — How soon after the election was it that he turned 
you ofi'? 

Answer — I don't remember. 

2671. Question — Were you working with him on contract ? 
Answer — Yes, one of his own writing ; I carried one from here, but 

he would not receive it. 

2672. Question — Did you receive from Dr. Taggart what was due you 
when you left his plantation ? 

Answer — I did not. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 505 



2673. Question — Do you know whether Dr. Taggart turned oil' the 
other four men who went to the poll on the day of election ? 

Answer — He turned oft* all but one, and that one was sick. 

2674. Question — You stated that Dr. Taggart said to you, that all 
who did not obey his orders should leave his place ; did you hear him 
say that to the others that he turned oft" his place ? 

Answer — I did, as we were all there together when he said it, 

Caroline Williams, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2675. Question — Are you a resident of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — I am. 

2676. Question — What part of the County do you live in ? 
AnsAver — I live near White Hall. 

2677. Question — Were you living where you do now prior to the late 
general election ? 

Answer — I was not. 

2678. Question — Please state where you lived at that time ? 
Answer — I lived at Tom Watson's, in sight of White Hall. 

2679. Question — Did you see anything occur at AVhite Hall box on 
the day of election ? and if so, please state what you saw. 

Answer — I did not see anything except a man lying there dead, and 
Dr. Ligon came and turned him over and looked at him, and asked me if 
I knew him, and I told him it was Antony Marshall ; Dr. Taggart came 
up before Dr. Ligon got away, and said it AVas a shame for the man to be 
killed ; that he hallooed to the men to halt and not to shoot so ; but 
they would not do it, and said : " If the rascal had stayed at home he 
would not have been in this fix ; I told him to stay at home, but he 
would not do it ;" and said : " God did not ordain that a nigger should 
rule a white person ;" he said : " Before the niggers shall rule our coun- 
try they will be laying thick as my fingers." 

2680. Question — What time in the day Avas it that these remarks were 
made ? 

Answer — I should judge about 10 o'clock A. M. 

2681. Question — Did you see any of the shooting? 

Answer — I did ; but cannot say Avho shot ; there was a great deal of 
smoke ; it appeared as though there were more than one hundred shots 
fired. 

2682. Question — Did you see any other persons who were shot on that 
day? 

Answer — I did ; I saw a man come running by me with the blood run- 
ning from his head to his feet. 

2683. Question — Did you know that man? 
Answer — Yes ; Wade Hollingsworth. 

2684. Question — Do you know anything further in connection with 
that aft'air ? 

Answer — I do not. 



64 



506 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Dick Bradley, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2685. Question — Are you a citizen of this County ? 

Answer — I am. 
^ 2686. Question — In what portion of the County do you reside ? 

** Answer — Near the line of Edgefield. 

2687. Question — Were you living there prior and at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — I was. 

2688. Question — To what box did you go to vote, at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — At White Hall. 

2689. Question — Did you vote at White Hall on that day ? 
Answer — I did not. 

2690. Question — Did you know of any political organization about 
there prior to the general election ? 

Answer— I didn't know of any. 

2691. Question — How long did you stay at the poll that day ? 
Answer — About three hours, as near as I can come at it. 

2692. Question — Do you know of any difficulty that took place at the 
poll on that day ? 

Answer — Yes, sir. 

2693. Question— Please state what the difficulty was ? 

Answer— The first beginning of the fuss, Mose Taggart sent Iverson 
Reynolds to the well for a bucket of water, and he went and brought it, 
carried it into the piazza, and as he went to the door some white gentle- 
man reached out and got it. Reynolds stood back in the crowd of white 
gentlemen, and one of the white men went to him and tried to shove him 
out of the piazza, and pulled out his pistol to shoot him, and Reynolds 
caught hold of it. At that time Dr. Taggart said : " Fall in, men," and 
when he said that they commenced shooting, and we ran oflT — a crowd of 
us. 

2694. Question — While they were shooting, did any person or persons 
get shot ? and if so, please state who they Avere. 

Answer — Yes ; I got shot, and Washington Green ; Antony Mar- 
shall, alias Antony Williams, was killed. There were others wounded 
whose names I did not know. 

2695. Question — Did you see the man who fired the first shot? 
Answer — I did, but did not know who he was ; the one who fired that 

shot hit me. 

2696. Question — Do you know whether there was a store where they 
voted ? 

Answer — I do ; there was a store in the adjoining room, 

2697. Question — Did you see any person come out of that store with 
liquor, on that day ? 

Answer — I did not ; but I saw persons have bottles of liquor ; where 
they got it I do not know. 

2698. Question — Did you go directly home when the firing com- 
menced ? 

AnsAver — I did. 



THIKD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 507 



2699. Question — Did you ever see any band of men traveling through 
the country of nights, called the Ku Klux ? 

Answer — I have heard of them, but never saw any of them. 

2700. Question — Do you know of any person or persons being beaten, 
or threatened to be driven off' of their place, prior to the election, if they 
voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — No, sir, I don't, and never heard of any. 

Washington Green, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

2701. Question — Are you a citizen of this County? 
Answer — I am ; have resided here for about eighteen years. 

2702. Question — In what portion of the County do you live? 
Answer — White Hall neighborhood. 

2703. Question — Did you go to White Hall poll on the day of the 
late general election ? 

Answer — I did. 

2704. Question — For what purpose did you go to the poll on that 
day? 

Answer — To vote. 

2705. Question — Did you vote on that day ? 
Answer — I did not. 

2706. Question — Please state the reason why you did not vote on that 
day? 

Answer — The reason why I did not vote was because they would not 
allow me, unless I would vote a Democratic ticket. I was wounded. 

2707. Question — Was there any fuss or disturbance at the poll that 
day ? 

Answer — There was ; they commenced hallooing and firing, and got us 
confused, and that broke up the company ; I could not say who shot and 
Avho did not, but they shot a great deal. 

2708. Question — You stated that you were wounded on that day; 
where were you hit ? 

Answer — In my left hip. 

2709. Question — Were you disabled for any length of time ? 
Answer — Yes, for three months I was not able to do anything. 

2710. Question — Did you or did you not have any threats made to 
you prior to the election ? 

Answex' — No, sir. 

Lemuel Gufiin, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr Mclntyre : 

2711. Question — Are you a resident of this County? and if so, how 
long have you resided here ? 

Answer — I am ; was born and raised here. 

ii712. Question — What is your profession ? 

Answer— I have no profession ; I am a Magistrate here. 

2713. Question— Do you know of any outrages, intimidations, threats, 
&e., that took place prior to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — I know that my life was threatened prior to the election. I 
was told that if I continued to be a Radical I would be killed. There 



508 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



were some persons came to my window, and made an attempt to come in. 
I saw where three horses had been hitched in the bushes near my gate, 
about fifty yards off. I was at that time living in the country, at a place 
known as the " Gray Place." 

2714. Question — By whom were you threatened? 

Answer — Charles Dendy, he said that he understood that he Avas 
implicated in the Martin murder; and if I had a warrant for him, I had 
better not undertake to serve it, as he Avould not be arrested ; he also 
said, that he had heard men say that were not implicated in any of 
those murders, that they intended to kill me, and if I would say to him 
that I was a Democrat, he would prevent it. That Avas the only direct 
threat ; but I have heard of many others. 

2715. Question — Were you acquainted with Mr. James Martin, a mem- 
ber of the General Assembly ? 

Answer — I was very intimately acquainted with him. 

2716. Question — Do you know anything in relation to the murder of 
Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — I saw Mr. Martin, on the day that he was murdered, a few 
moments before he left the village, and intended to go with him. He 
was riding a slow mule, and I was riding a very fast horse, and I thought 
I should overtake him before he got far, but after riding Avithin a quar- 
ter of a mile of where he was murdered, I did not overtake him, and I 
then took a right hand road, and went down it three or four hundred yards, 
in conversation Avith a colored man. After leaA'ing the colored man, I 
Avent back to the same road that Mr. Martin was on. On my way home, 
the road leading to my home crossed the road that Mr. Martin Avas on at 
Arter's blacksmith shop, and it was at that place that I saAV a croAvd, 
and my brother Avas there, and I asked him Avhat Avas the matter, and he 
said that Mr. Martin was shot, and I then saAV them carrying him into 
the house. When I Avent into the house, (and I went in immediately,) 
he was not dead, but could not speak. He lived some ten or fifteen min- 
utes after, I asked one of the colored men, Avho Avas Avith Mr. Martin, 
if he kncAV Avho shot him, and he said he did not. 

2717. Question — Have you found out since that time Avho it Avas that 
shot Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — That night Avhen I got home and told brother Pembrook 
what had happened, he said he had met a party of four men just coming 
out of the old field into the road, some two hundred yards above the 
four mile post. Three of them Avere riding horses. They were strangers 
to him. The fourth man Avas riding a black mule. He knew him, and 
said that he supposed that they AA'ere the parties Avho killed Martin. 

2718. Question — What Avas the name of the man he kncAV ? 
Answer — Joe Davis ; commonly called " Black Joe." 

2719. Question — What has been the state of afl'airs in this County ? 

Answer — Before, and a short time after the election, the state of af- 
fairs was very bad. There Avere several murders committed in a short 
time. 

2720. Question — Was it Democrats or Republicans that Avere mur- 
dered ? 

Answer — All Republicans, as I never heard of a Democrat being mur- 
dered immediately preceding or after the election. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 509 



2721. Question — Do you know whether any steps were taken by law 
for the apprehension of the murderers of Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — To my knowledge, there were no steps taken until Captain 
Hubbard came here from Columbia. 

2722. Question — Do you know whether any person or persons have 
been arrested for the murder of Mr. Martin ? 

Answer — Charles Dendy, Henry Shoemaker and AY. K. Talbert were 
arrested. 

2723. Question — By whom were they arrested ? 
Answer — By my brother and myself. 

2724. Question — Do you know what disposition has been made of 
their cases ? 

Answer — They never have been tried, but are under bonds, awaiting 
trial. 

2725. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Have you not heard threats made 
against any other Republicans? 

Answer — Only as rumor. 

2726. Question — Do you know of any colored men who have been 
whipped ? 

Answer — Many of them have reported to me that they had been 
whipped. 

2727. Question —At what precinct were you on the day of the general 
election ? 

Answer — Abbeville jjrecinct. 

2728. Question — Do you know whether the colored men generally 
voted at this place or not? 

Answer — I think they did. 

2729. Question — Do you know of any attempts to prevent them from 
voting as they wished ? 

Answer — There were some little boys who changed a good many of 
the votes, so I was told ; I don't know, of my own knowledge, that any 
one was prevented from voting, 

2730. Question — Was there not a disposition on the part of the Man- 
agers of Election not to find the colored men's names ? 

Answer — I think not. I think they were anxious to find their names. 
The only thing I saw wrong was those little boys sitting around. 

2731. Question — Were you not Chief Deputy Constable of the 
County ? 

Answer — I was. 

2732. Question — Was it not your duty to appoint deputies at each 
precinct in the County ? 

Answer — I was instructed by the Chief Constable to send men to each 
polling precinct. 

2733. Question — Did you send them ? 
Answer — I did to a few precincts. 

2734. Question — What was the reason you did not send men to all ? 
Answer — I could not get them to serve. 

2735. Question — What was the object in sending men to those pre- 
cincts ? 

Answer — To preserve the peace, and see that there was a fiiir election. 



510 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2736. Question — You say you could not get men to serve as deputies 
at most of the precincts, when you asked them ; what was their reply ? 

Answer — That they did not care to have anything to do with it. 

2737. Question — Did not those men that you asked to serve show a 
disposition not to have a fair election ? 

Answer — I don't know ; they refused to serve. 

On motion, at 5:30 P. M., the Committee adjouiTjed, to meet to-morrow 
at 9 A. M. 



KOOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 21, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 

A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business, 

Willis Smith, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2738. Question — Are you a native citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2739. Question — In what election precinct do you live ? 
Answer — White Hall. 

2740. Question — Were you at White Hall on the day of the last gen- 
eral election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2741. Question — Was there any disturbance at that place on that 
day ? 

Answer — Yes, there was a right smart fuss for about half a minute. 

2742. Question — Please commence and tell, in your own words, what 
you know about that disturbance ? 

Answer — I cannot tell much about it, as it happened in such a short 
time. The first commencement was : I saw a mulatto man, when I was 
sitting on an oak tree about some fifteen or twenty steps from the piazza, 
walk into the piazza. Dr. Taggart had requested him to bring a bucket 
of water, and he had done so ; he brought it, and handed it in the piazza 
door to another gentleman, by the name, I think, of H. A. Hollingworth ; 
heard him say afterwards he was the man that took the Avater from the 
man. I don't know, myself, that it was Hollingworth who took it, but 
I heard him say so afterwards. Iverson then stepped back about five 
paces out in front, and there were four or five other freedmen that stepped 
up to him, and talked Avith him a minute or two ; then Iverson walked 
into the door of the piazza, and made his Avay on through tlie piazza to 
another door, leading to the poll. When he got to that door, which was 
crowded with Edgefield men, I then saw Iverson clinch a Avhite man. I 
don't know that they both clinched at the same time, as I could not see 
the other man that Iverson clinched. About that time there Avas an- 
other man jumped in, by the name of Allen, I think, and clinched this 
same white man, and jerked the Avhite man out of the piazza some fifteen 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 511 



yards ; and when that man jumped into the piazza was the time the 
shooting commenced. The first shot that I heard was in the direction of 
the Doctor's shop, (twenty paces from the store,) where the freedmeu 
were assembled, and then the firing commenced generally out of the 
piazza. Some fifty shots were fired. After the first shot, the freedmen 
all advanced — some of them had sticks, and some poles ; one had a poll 
eight or nine feet long, and he never dropped it until he had ran about 
thirty steps ; he had the pole in a threatening attitude ; when he dropped 
it I think he got shot, as I saw him throw his hand on his hip. At the 
time the main shooting had ceased, and the niggers had all left, Dr. Tag- 
gart ran out of his store about that time, and hallooed at the top of his 
voice : " Stop that shooting, there is no use for it ;" and hallooed to the 
freedmen to come back to vote. He then called on some of the white 
men to get on their horses, and tell them to come back and vote, as there 
was no danger at all. I think James L. White and John U. Marshall 
got on their horses, and one Avent one way and one another, and overtook 
part of the colored men, but could get none of them to return, so he re- 
ported when he came back. Two did come back with Marshall Jordan, 
and voted the Radical ticket. Those two colored men that jerked the 
white man out of the piazza were the last to leave, and as they ran off 
this man they had clinched fired at them two or three times, I think. 

2743. Question — How many white men did you see armed? 
Answer — I can't say that any Avere armed ; if they Avere they had them 

in their pockets. The only gun I saAV was the one Dr. Taggart had in 
his hand Avheu he ran out and told the colored people to stop ; I saAV 
another gun there about half an hour afterwards, in the hands of Capt. 
Kennedy ; he Avalked up with it from his house ; he lives some three or 
four hundred yards from the poll. About that time Thomas Watson 
had Avalked down to his house, about two hundred yards from the poll, 
and come back and reported that there Avas a nigger dead doAvn near his 
gate ; and Dr. Taggart and Dr. Ligon went doAvn there, and came back 
and reported Avho it Avas, and said it Avas Antony Marshall. 

2744. Question — Did you see any colored men have fire arms ? 
AnsAver — No. 

2745. Question — Did Dr. Taggart shoot his gun ? 
AnsAver — He did not Avhen he ran out Avith it in his hand. 

2746. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that the Avhite man that 
was pulled out of the piazza by those two colored men fired after thera 
two or three times as they ran ; Avhat kind of a pistol did he fire with? 

AnsAver — It was a pistol, but what kind I can't say ; he must certainly 
have been armed. 

2747. Question — Were you acquainted Avith Iverson Reynolds ? 
Answer — Yes, Avell acquainted. 

2748. Question — Was he considered a leader among the colored 
people ? 

AnsAver — He AA^as. 

2749. Question — Was it not understood that he was in possession of 
the Radical tickets on that occasion ? 

Answer — That was the understanding, as it was the understanding at 
previous elections. 



512 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2750. Question — Had Iverson Reynolds come out of the piazza after 
he had handed the pail of water in before he had the altercation ? 

Answer — He hadn't been in the piazza ; he stepped back after hand- 
ing it in. 

2751. Question — How near was he to the poll at the time the scuffling 
commenced between him and the other person ? 

Answer — Within eight or ten feet of the poll. 

2752. Question — Where were you standing at that time ? 

Answer — At an oak tree, fifteen steps from the corner of the building 
where they were holding the poll. 

2753. Question — Was the poll open in the i:)iazza, or in the room ? 
Answer — In the room. 

2754. Question — AVere you sitting in front of the door that led into 
the room where they voted ? 

Answer — No ; I was on the north-west corner. 

2755. Question — Was there, at that time, a crowd of persons in the 
piazza ? 

Answer — Yes ; crowded with Edgefield men. 

2756. Question — How do you know that they Avere Edgefield men ? 
Answer — They came from that direction, but there were some few that 

I did know. 

2757. Question — Please give us the names of those you did know ? 
Answer — Seborn Starnakan and Wm. Flynn. 

" 2758. Question — In what part of Edgefield do they live ? 

Answer — Starnakan does not live far from the line ; Flynn lives on 
the Five-Notch road, about two or three miles over the line. 

2Y59. Question — You stated you saw Iverson Reynolds clinch a white 
man ; who was that white man '{ 

Answer — I did not know the man. 

2760. Question — Was the room in which they were voting at that time 
crowded with persons? 

Answer — I think it was perfectly full. 

2761. Question — On what part of the person did Iverson Reynolds 
clinch this man ? 

AnsAver — I think he caught him on the arm. 

2762. Question — Where did the white man catch Reynolds? 
Answer — I can't say ; I could not see the white man, only after they 

jerked him. 

2763. Question — Do you know whether Reynolds clinched the white 
man first, or the white man clinched Reynolds first ? 

Answer — I can't say which clinched first, 

2764. Question — You have stated that the piazza was densely crowded 
with people, and the room in which they Avere voting you think Avas 
densely crowded Avith people, and that you AA'ere sitting off by a tree, not 
in front of the door, upon the ground about fifteen yards oft* ; hoAV could 
you see that clinching if that be a fact ? 

AnsAver — As soon as the thing occurred, I heard some loud voices, and 
rose up, and then I saAV Reynolds clinch, 

2765. Question — Was this crowd of people that Avas in the piazza, and 
in the room Avhere they Avere voting, Avhite or colored persons ? 

AnsAver — They Avere all Avhite. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 513 



2766. Question — When this crowd began to fire from the piazza, in 
•what direction did they fire ? 

Answer — In a westwardly course from the door. 

2767. Question — In what direction were the freedmen from the door? 
Answer — In a west direction. 

2768. Question — Then they were firing toward the freedmen, were they 
not? 

Answer — Yes. 

2769. Question — Did they point their pistols so as to range over the 
heads of the freedmen ? 

Answer — They did. 

2770. Question — AVere they guns or pistols ? 

Answer — They must have been pistols ; I did not see them, as I had my 
eyes on the scuffling parties. 

2771. Question — They must have been armed, then? 

Answer — I can't say ; they must have had something of the kind. 

2772. Question — Were there any shots returned by the freedmen ? 
Answer — Not that I could say ; there were none who turned around 

and shot when they ran oft'. 

2773. Question — Then, if any of them shot, they must have shot run- 
ning ? 

Answer — If they shot, they must have shot as they came up, as they 
did not Avhile running. 

2774. Question — Where did that man get that pole you saw him 
have ? 

Answer — He must have got it from around the Doctor's shot. 

2775. Question — Did you see a pistol in that white man's hand, when 
Iverson clinched him ? 

Answer — No ; not until he fired at Iverson, and Iverson was then thirty 
steps from him. 

12776. Question — Did Dr. Taggart, after he came out, cause some men 
to dismount who were mounted for the purpose of pursuing the colored 
people ? 

Answer — No ; he didn't cause any to dismount ; he asked them to get 
on their horses to go after them. 

2777. Question — Were there not persons, who, after the colored people 
had fled, desired to pursue them ? 

Answer — There were not ; only those two I told you about, that Dr. 
Taggart sent after them to get them to come back and vote. 

2778. Question — What was that man's name who had the pole eight or 
nine feet long ? 

Answer — Washington Pressley. 

2779. Question — Was he fleeing at the time he dropped the pole ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2780. Question — Who was it that fired after him at that time ? 
Answer — I can't say. 

2781. Question — A white man ? 
Answer — It must have been a white man. 

2782. Question — Why do you think it was a white man ? 
Answer — The colored men had all gone. 

65 



514 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2783. Question — You stated that you thought he was struck on that oc- 
casion ? 

Answer — I judged so from his throwing his hand to his hip. 

2784. Question — Were thet e any peace officers there that day ? 
Answer — None that I know of. 

"^785. Question — Do you know whether Dr. Taggart shot that gun be- 
fore he came out of the house or not ? 
Answer — I do not know. 

2786. Question — Were you one of the jury of inquest on the body of 
Marshall ? 

Answer — No ; I went home about 1 o'clock P. M. 

2787. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you armed on the day of 
election ? 

Answer — I had a pistol in my pocket. 

2788. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — What is your occupation? 
Answer — Farmer. 

2789. Question — Do you know whether there was any political organ- 
ization in the precinct near you ? 

Answer — There was a Democratic Club. 

2790. Question — Were you a member of it ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2791. Question— Who was President of that Club? 
Answer — Dr. Taggart. 

2792. Question — Do you remember of any resolution passing that Club 
in relation to labor ? 

Answer — I do not ; resolutions were spoken of but never passed. 

2793. Question — Can you give us the substance of those resolutions 
spoken of? 

Answer — Something about avoiding the hiring of Radical freedmen as 
day hands. 

2794. Question — Were you an active member of that Club ? 
Answer — No. 

2795. Question — Did you attend many meetings ? 
Answer — Yes. 

2796. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that they held their pis- 
tols so as to range above the heads of the freedmen ; how many of the 
freedmen were killed and wounded at that time ? 

Answer — One killed ; it was said five or six wounded ; one I know of 
was seriously wounded. 

2797. Question — Do you know whether it was a white or colored man 
that fired the first piece ? 

Answer — I do not. 

2798. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you fire your pistol that 
day? 

Answer — No ; I never drew it out of ray pocket. 

2799. Question — Did you hear the word of command given to fall in ? 
Answer — No; I heard the cry for help. 

2800. Question — Did you not hear some person say " Fire ?" 
Answer — No. 

2801. Question — Did Dr. Taggart come out of the polling room after 
the firing commenced, or previous ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 515 



Answer — It was just about over when he came out. 



Vincent Griffin, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2802. Question — Are you a native citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — I am. 

2803. Question — In what election precinct do you reside ? 
Answer — White Hall. 

2804. Question — Were you at White Hall on the day of the last gene- 
ral election ? 

Answer — I Avas. 

2805. Question — Were you one of the Managers of Election at that 
poll ? 

Answer — I was. 

2806. Question — Was there any disturbance at that place on that day ? 
Answer — There was. 

2807. Question — Please state what you know about that disturbance ? 
Answer — I understood that a row had commenced ; I endeavored to 

get to the door, and by the time I had entered the piazza, the liring was 
rapid and the negroes were running. 

2808. Question — Where were you when the row commenced? 
Answer — I was sitting at a table managing the election. 

2809. Question — How were you first apprised that a difficulty was 
going on ? 

Answer — A gentleman told me- 

2810. Question — Please state if you remember what were the words 
this gentleman used to you ? 

Answer — I don't remember ; only that he told me the row had com- 
menced, and for me to give him the store key. 

2811. Question — What was that gentleman's name? 
Answer — Dr. Watson. 

2812. Question — Did you see any persons with arms that day? 
Answer — I did. 

2813. Question — About how many persons did you see armed that 
day, between the hours of 6 A. M. and 6 P. M. ? 

Answer — About three with guns. 

2814. Question — Were they in the hands of white or colored men ? 
Answer — White men. 

2815. Question — Did any colored men vote at White Hall on that 
day? 

Answer — Yes. 

2816. Question — Was there, to your knowledge, any effort made at the 
poll to prevent any colored man from voting ? 

Answer — None whatever. 

2817. Question — Did any persons vote at White Hall, on the day of 
the last general election, who were not residents of Abbeville County ? 

Answer — Yes ; but only for Members of Congress and Presidential 
Electors. 

2818. Question — Do you know that these men who voted at White 
Hall, and who were not residents of Abbeville County, had registered 
anywhere ? 



516 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — They were registered at White Hall. We thought we had a 
perfect right to register them there to vote anywhere in the Congressional 
district. 

2819. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You stated some colored men 
voted that day ; how many voted ? 

Answer — To the best of my recollection four voted. 

28-0. Question — Did these four men vote previous to the general firing, 
or afterwards ? 

A nswer — Afterwards. 

2821. Question — What ticket did they vote, Republican or Demo- 
crat ? 

Answer — I can't say ; I didn't examine the tickets. 

2822. Question — You stated that you saw three white men with guns; 
do 5^ou know the names of those men ? 

Answer — Yes ; Dr. Taggart, Dr. Watson and Mr. John Butler. 

2823. Question — Did they have their guns in the voting room or out- 
side? 

Answer — They had them on the outside when I first saw them. 

2824. Question — What time was that ? 

Answer — Before the polls opened, except Dr. Watson, and I saw him 
have his gun after the row. 

2825. Question — At the time the general firing commenced, did you 
see Dr. Taggart? 

Answer — I did. 

2826. Question — What was he doing at that time? 

Answer — He was standing over my table where I was receiving votes. 

2827. Question — Do you recollect whether he was doing anything at 
that time? 

Answer — I don't know ; he may have been talking to some one. I 
was busy. 

2828. Question — Do you know whether Dr. Taggart left the voting 
room during the time of the general firing, or after it had ceased ? 

Answer — I do not. I got into the piazza before Dr. Taggart did, and 
when he got out there, he had no arms in his hands. 

2829. Question — Did Dr. Taggart go out on the piazza through the 
door-way ? 

Answer — I don't know how he got out. 

2830. Question — Did you get out on the piazza during the time the 
general firing was going on, or after it had ceased ? 

Answer — When I entered the piazza firing was going on. 

2831. Question — About how many minutes had elapsed after you got 
on the piazza, before you saw Dr. Taggart on the piazza ? 

Answer — Not more than half a minute. 

2832. Question — After you had got on the piazza, about how many 
shots did you hear fired ? 

Answer — I should suppose twenty or twenty-five. 

2833. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that you registered men 
at that poll who were not residents of this County ; how many did you 
register ? 

Answer — I do not recollect how many. 



THIRD CONGKESSONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 517 



2834. Question — Did you register them before, or on the day of elec- 
tion? 

Answer — Before. 

2835. Question — How long before ? 

Answer — During the three days before the election. 

2836. Question — When you registered them, did you require them to 
take the usual oath ? 

Answer — I am not certain. 

2837. Question — How many legal voters are there belonging to that 
precinct ? 

Answer — I don't know ; because the Phoenix and White Hall boxes 
were consolidated. 

2838. Question — Did you not have the books belonging to both of 
those precincts ? 

Answer — We did. 

2839. Question — How many votes were cast there for Solicitor ? 
Answer — Between one hundred and fifty and one hundred and sixty. 

2840. Question — After you entered upon your duties, on the morning 
of the election, had you been away from the polling place before you were 
apprised of the fact that a row had commenced ? 

Answer — I had not. 

2841. Question — Do you know, then, whether any means had been de- 
vised to prevent the colored people from going to the polls ? 

Answer — None that I know of. 

2842. Question — Were there any colored persons in the room at the 
time this affray commenced? 

Answer — None that I saw- 

2843. Question — When you went out upon the piazza, and when Dr. 
Taggart came out after you, what did he say ? 

Answer — The first remark I heard him make was " Stop firing." 

2844. Question — Where did you leave him when you came out from 
the polling room, when the row commenced ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

2845. Question — Those four coloi'ed persons that voted on that day, to 
your knowledge, had they been there prior to the commencement of the 
row? 

Answer — No. 

2846 Question — You stated that Dr. Watson came to you, and ap- 
prised you of the commencement of the row, and requested you to give 
him the key of the store ; what did he desire the key of the store for at 
that time ? 

Answer — The firing was going on, and I suppose he wanted his gun. 

2847. Question — How many guns were in the store at that time ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

2848. Question — At what time did Dr. Watson put his gun in the 
store that day ? 

Answer — Before the polls were opened. 

2849. Question — Did he bring it that morning? 
Answer — He had it with him when he came. 

2850 Question — How far did Dr. Watson live from that store ? 



518 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — About four miles. 

2851. Question — Do you know whether he fired his gun on that occa- 
eion or not ? 

Answer — I do not ; I did not see him fire. 

2852. Question — Did you see him with his gun after the row Avas over ? 
Answer — Yes ; but at the time he was endeavoring to get the colored 

men to come back and vote. 

2853. Question — How long was that after the firing had ceased? 
Answer — Immediately ; he was following them with his gun, asking 

them to return. 

2854. Question — How many colored men were killed and wounded on 
that occasion, if any ? 

Answer — I know of one being killed, but know not of any being 
wounded. 

2855. Question — Had any colored persons, prior to the firing, been 
near or to the poll ? 

Answer — I can't say how near they had been ; none had been to the 
poll and ofl^ered their tickets. 

2856. Question — If any had been within eight or ten feet, would you 
have seen them ? 

Answer — No ; I couldn't have seen them ten feet ofl', as the room was 
crowded. 

2857. Question — Was the piazza also densely crowded ? 
Answer — I don't know. I was in the polling room. 

2858. Question — Do you remember a tree that stood at the north-east 
corner of the piazza, about fifteen yards from the piazza ? 

Answer — There were several trees there. 

2859. Question — Could you have seen a person from where you were, 
sitting on the ground or standing near one of those trees ? 

Answer — I could not. 

2860. Question — Could you not have seen a person who was standing 
there, even if you had been ten feet nearer the door ? 

Answer — I could not, and even if he had been in the door while the 
crowd w^as in front of me. 

2861. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — When this general firing com- 
menced and you had gone out on the piazza, what length of time elapsed 
before the firing ceased ? 

Answer — Not longer than a minute. 

2862. Question — What length of time did you remain out there before 
you returned to the polling room ? 

Answer — I cannot remember. 

2863. Question — Who were the other Managers of Election at that 
poll? 

Answer — T. J. Hearst and Dr. J. W. Ligon. 

2864. Question — Did they also go out into the piazza at the time you 
did ? 

Answer — I never noticed. 

2865. Question — Were you armed that day ? 
Answer — I was not. 

2866. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — What is your occupation? 
Answer — A merchant. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 519 



2867. Question —Do you know whether there was any political organi- 
zation in your precinct 't 
Answer — Yes ; the White Hall Democratic Club. 
2868 Question — Were you a member of that Club ? 
Answer — I was. 

2869. Question — Were you an active member ? 

Answer — Yes ; the meetings were held in my store, and I attended all 
of them when I Avas home. 

2870. Question — Do you remember of a resolution passing that Club 
in relation to the non-employment of any person or persons ? 

Answer — I do. 

2871. Question — Please state the substance of those resolutions as far 
as you can recollect? 

Answer — That Ave would employ no Radicals as day laborers ; but this 
resolution was afterwards rescinded. 

2872. Question — How long afterwards was it rescinded ? 
Answer — I think the next meeting — one week. 

2873 Question — Do you not know whether the fact of the passage of 
the resolution was generally circulated over that precinct ? 
Answer — I do not know. 

2874. Question — Were you not drawn as one of the jurors at the last 
term of the Court ? 

Answer — I was not. 

Dr. John W- Ligon, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2875. Question — Are you a native citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — I am not ; I was born in Laurens County. 

2876. Question — Are you now a resident ? 
Answer — Yes ; for two years and a-half. 

ii877. Question — In what election precinct do you reside ? 
Answer — White Hall. 

2878. Question — Were you at White Hall on the day of the late 
general election? 

Answer — I was, and was one of the Managers. 

2879. Question — Was there any disturbance at White Hall, on the 
day of the last general election ? 

Answer — There was. 

2880. Question — Please state what you know about that disturbance ? 
Answer — I know but very little about it ; I was at my post when I 

heard the report of a gun, and some four or five seconds after I heard 
another ; I was not alarmed at the first report, but after the second the 
firing became general, and I knew something was up ; I then arose from 
the table and looked out of the window, and saw the colored people run- 
ning through the woods, some fifty yards off" at that time. After the row 
was over I left the voting room, and was called upon to examine the dead 
body of the person found some two hundred yards off, who was killed by 
gun-shot Avounds received in the head and back. 

2881. Question — Did any colored persons vote there on that day ? 
AnsAver — Yes; four. 



520 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2882. Question — Did any colored persons offer to vote, and were 
refused ? 

Answer — No ; the two that voted the Radical ticket came in after the 
row, and the two who voted the Democratic ticket I don't remember 
whether before or afterwards. 

2883. Question — To your knowledge, was any colored person who 
offered his vote at the poll prevented from putting it in ? 

Answer — Not one ; I was there all the time ; we had determined before 
that all who come should vote, no matter how they voted. 

2884. Question — Do you know whether any efforts Avere made to 
induce the colored persons to return to the poll and vote, after they had 
been scared off? 

Answer — Yes. 

2885. Question — Do you know where Dr. Taggart was when the firing 
commenced ? 

Answer — He was in the voting room. 

2886. Question — Did you see him have a gun during the excitement ? 
Answer — I did not. 

2887. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — At the time that the general firing 
had commenced you stated that Dr. Taggart was in the voting room ; did 
you notice in what 2:)art of the room ? 

Answer — He was near the entrance to the door leading to the store 
room. 

2888. Question — What distance from the polling table ? 
Answer — Fi-om eight to ten feet. 

2889. Question — Did you notice what he Avas doing at that time ? 
Answer — No ; I saw him, after he got out in the piazza, raise his hand 

and halloo : "Stop the fuss." 

2890. Question — About what length of time elapsed after you got out 
on the piazza before the firing ceased ? 

Answer — It was about closing when I got out there. 

2891. Question — Who got out there first, you or Dr. Taggart? 
Answer — I don't know, but he was ahead of me in hallooing. 

2892. Question — At the time you heard Dr. Taggart hallooing, was he 
armed ? 

Answer — I did not see any. 

2893. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How many colored persons were 
registered at that precinct? 

Answer — I don't remember. 

2894. Question —How many votes were cast ? 
Answer — One hundred and fifty-six. 

2895. Question — Was that one hundred and fifty-six all residents of 
this County ? 

Answer — No. 

2896. Question — How many votes were cast by those not residents of 
this County ? 

Answer — I took no account ; all were allowed to vote for President and 
Congress. 

2897. Question — Were all registered there who voted? 
Answer — They were not. 

2898. Question — How many persons did you see armed that day ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONxiL DISTRICT, S. C. 521 



Answer — I cannot say, for I took no notice. 

2899. Question — Didn't see a pistol or gun ? 
Answer — I don't remember. 

2900. Question — Were you in the store during the day ? 
Answer — I don't remember. 

2901. Question — Do you know whether the door leading into the store 
was locked or not ? 

Answer — I think it was locked. 

2902. Question — Was Mr. Griffin sitting at your side at the time this 
firing commenced ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2903. Question — Did you see Dr. Watson about that time ? 
Answer — I don't remember of seeing him until after the row was over. 

2904. Question — Don't you remember Dr. Watson coming to Mr. 
Griffin, who sat by your side at the time the general firing commenced, 
and saying to him, " There is a row outside, give me the key of the store 
room I 

Answer — He may have said it ; I didn't hear him. 

2905. Question — Where did you see Dr. Watson after the afii-ay was 
over? 

AnsAver — I took so little notice of it, I can't say I saw him ; I know 
he went after them to bring them back. 

2906. Question — ^How do you know that he did go after them ? 
Answer — I saw him in the piazza, making eftbrts to undertake to go 

after them to bring them back. 

2907. Question — What efibrts was he making? 

Answer — He was saying, to a party on the piazza : " Let us go and 
bring them back to vote." 

2908. Question — Did he not go after them, with his gun in his hand, 
and tell them to come back and vote ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

2909. Question — From the time that you entered upon your duties 
that morning, had you been away from the polls up to the time of the 
afli'ay ? 

Answer — I had. 

2910. Question — Where had you been? 

Answer — I had walked around the store to see a gentleman that I ex- 
pected was about leaving. 

2911. Question — You stated that there was nothing done at the poll to 
prevent the colored people from voting ; do you know whether or not 
there were means devised, in the piazza, or outside, to prevent them ? 

Answer — I know nothing that took place outside ; some few individ- 
uals, (I don't know who they wei-e,) said not let the colored people vote ; 
but myself, and the rest of the Managers, determined among ourselves to 
allow every person to vote that came to put their vote in. 

2912. Question — To your knowledge, had the decision of the Board 
been circulated among the crowd ? 

Answer — I don't know about that, but there were several in there who 
heard it. 

2913. Question — After the affi'ay was over, to your knowledge, did 

m 



522 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Dr. Taggart cause any persons to dismount, who were mounted for the 
purpose of pursuing the colored people ? 
Answer — I know nothing of it. 

2914. Question — You went into the piazza before the firing ceased ? 
Answer — As it was closing. 

2915. Question — Where was Dr. Taggart at that time ? 
Answer — A few paces ahead of me. 

2916. Question — Plow long did you remain out there? 
Answer — About twenty minutes. 

2917. Question — Where was Dr. Taggart during that twenty minutes? 
Answer — I don't remember seeing him afterwards. 

2918. Q,ucstion (by Mr. Smalls) — You stated that two colored men 
voted the Radical ticket and two the Democratic ticket ; how do you 
know how they voted ? 

Answer — Two came in and appeared intimidated. I said to them : 
"Vote your tickets, whatever they may be " They then voted. 

2919. Q,ucstion — Did those men hand you their tickets ? 

Answer — Yes ; I opened them, and saw they were Radical tickets, and 
put them in the box. 

29-0. Question — Did you open all the tickets that were voted at that 
box that day ? 

Answer — I think all of them were examined. 

2921. Question — Did you or did you not have a box, with a hole in 
the top of it, for voters to put their votes in ? 

Answer — Yes. 

2922. Question — Did you not know they had a right to put their 
tickets in the box Avithout the Managers opening them ? 

Answer — I did not. 

2923. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You stated there were two colored 
men who voted the Democratic ticket ; Avas that before or after the affray ? 

Answer — Before. 

2924. Question — Do you know the names of those colored men ? 
Answer — I can't remember their names. 

On motion, the Committee adjourned to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 8 P. JM. 

T. J. Hearst, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2925. Question — Are you a native citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

2926. Question — In what election precinct do you reside ? 
Answer — White Hall. 

2927. Question — Were you at White Hall on the day of the last gen- 
eral election ? 

Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 523 



2928. Question — Were you a Manager at that poll ? 
Answer — I was. 

2929. Question — Was there any disturbance there on that day ? 
Answer — There was. 

2930. Question — Please state what you know in relation to that dis- 
turbance ? 

Answer — As Manager of Election, I was necessarily at my place within 
doors. The first intimation that I had of a difficulty was an individual 
coming to the table exclaiming " a row has commenced !" Almost in- 
stantly I heard the report of one or two shots outside of the door. There 
was then a rush backwards and forwards in the ballot-room, as one might 
expect on a sudden alarm — some persons seeking safety, others seeking 
something to defend themselves with. As soon as practicable, I rose from 
the ballot table, carrying a ballot box in one hand, and going for the 
purpose of securing the door of the store, wherein I knev/ that hunters 
like myself frequently left their guns, fearing that there might be hasty 
action, and wishing to avoid any difficulty or collision, or any use of vio- 
lence or arms ; I held with the other hand the door until I used a precau- 
tion to my friends not to act hastily, but to be on the defensive entirely; 
by that time the firing was going on very rapidly. When I let go of the 
door one or two men entered, and one gun that I know of was brought 
out. A window was thrown open, opening into the piazza of the store, be- 
fore which white men were repeatedly passing to and fro. Out of that 
window there was not a shot fired that I saw, nor but two men appeared 
before it with guns in their hands, and had they fired they would have 
greatly eudangered the parties outside of the store, and in the piazza of 
the store. As soon as possible I made my way in the piazza, and called 
out, at the top of my voice, several times, " cease firing." The firing ceased 
very shortly after, or almost instantly, as I reached the piazza 

2931. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You said the first intimation you 
had of the affray was that some person came to the voting table and said 
a row had commenced ; at that time did you see where Dr. Taggart was ? 

Answer — Yes ; he was standing near the table. 

2932. Question — Do you know what he was doing at this time ? 
Answer — He was one of a party of three engaged in writing a note. 

2933. Question — Do you know the name of the person who intimated 
that the row had commenced? 

Answer — Dr. Henry Watson. 

2934. Question — Was he armed ? 

Answer — He was not, that I know of, at the time. 

2935. Question — Do you know whether he Avas armed any time that 
morning prior to the affray ? 

Answer — I do not ; I did not see any arms about him ; I got to the 
polls about the hour of opening, and did not leave until this row com- 
menced. 

2936. Question — After the firing had commenced and you had got 
outside, did you see Dr. Taggart ? 

Answer — He came out after I did ; he was the next man behind me. 

2937. Question — Was he armed ? 

Answer — To the best of my recollection, he dropped his gun against 
an upright post near the window in the ballot room. 



524 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



2938. Question — Did you not see a pistol in the hands of Dr. Taggart? 
Answer — I did not. 

2939. Question — Did you not know he had one about his person ? 
Answer — I did not. 

2940. Question — How many colored men voted that day ? 
Answer — Four. 

2941. Question — What ticket did they vote? 

Answer — I know that two voted the Democratic ticket, and two the 
Radical ticket i* 

2942. Question — Did they vote prior to the affray or after ? 
Answer — I don't recollect prior to the affray ; but I recollect two voted 

after the affray. 

2943. Question — The two you recollect voted after the aflPray ; did 
they vote the Democrat or Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I am satisfied they voted the Republican ticket. 

2944. Question — About how long a time after the affray did they vote ? 
Answer — An hour or an hour and a-quarter. 

2945. Question — About what time in the day did the affray take place ? 
Answer — Not later than half past 10 A. M. 

2946. Question — After you had got out on the piazza, about what time 
elapsed before the firing ceased ? 

Answer — Almost instantly. 

2947. Question — Do you know whether Dr. Ligon got out on the 
piazza before or after you did ? 

Answer — I don't recollect Avhether he got out on the piazza or not ; I 
don't recollect of seeing him there during the excitement. 

2948. Question — You stated two colored men voted the Republican 
ticket ; were they allowed to put their tickets in the box themselves, or did 
the Managers put them in ? 

Answer — No man put his ticket in the box ; they generally handed it 
to a Manager, and saw that that identical ticket was put in the box, with- 
out change or slight of hand. 

2949. Question — Did the Managers open the tickets of those two Re- 
publicans, and look at them before putting them in the box ? 

Answer — To my recollection, as a Manager, they did not, but acted 
with them as with every other ballot polled. 

2950 Question — After you had got out on the piazza, about what time 
elapsed until you returned to the ballot-room ? 

Answer — As soon as the disturbance was fairly over, I returned to my 
position, 

2951. Question — What time did the other two Managers return? 
Answer — We all returned together. I was in the possession of the bal- 
lot box, and they returned with me. 

2952. Question (by Mr. Wright)--Did the Managers of Election that 
morning of the day of election, or at any other time, have any conversa- 
tion about the colored people voting there ? 

Answer — They did not in my presence. I was a Manager. 

2953. Question — Did you hear any person or persons say that morn- 
ing, or at any other time, that the negroes or colored people should be or 
ought to be 25revcnted from voting the Radical ticket ? 



THIRD CONGKESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 525 



Answer — I have no recollection, at or before that time, of any person 
or persons making any such remarks. 

295-4. Question — Did any two of the Managers of Election make a de- 
cision or decisions ? 

Answer — I was the last Manager that came in that morning, and after 
I came in no two (I being one of the two) made any decisions. 

2955. Question — Before there was a vote polled, did or did not the 
Managers of Election decide that every colored man should have the 
right to come up and deposit his ballot ; was it not discussed and de- 
cided ? 

Answer — AVe did not. 

2956. Question — Did not the Managers at that poll receive every legal 
vote that was oifered ? 

Answer — We did. 

2957. Question — You have stated that two colored men voted the 
Radical ticket ; you also stated that the tickets were not opened ; how do 
you know that they voted the Radical ticket, unless they were opened 't 

Answer — I saw enough of the color of the ticket, and enough of the 
men, to know that they voted the Radical ticket. 

2958. Question — Do you know where Dr. Taggart usually kept his 
gun? 

Answer — Generally about the store for years. 

2959. Question — You stated you saw him have his gun ? 

Answer — Yes ; I savf him have a carbine, or Winchester gun, that day. 

2960. Question — Please state what time that day you saw him have 
that gun. 

Answer — Just after the firing commenced. 

2961. Question — Were you sitting or standing Avhen you saw him have 
that gun 't 

AnsAver — I was standing right by him at the window. 

2962. Question — Where was Dr. Taggart at the time that you returned 
to enter again upon your duties ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

2963. Question — Did you see any persons mount that day imme- 
diately after the firing ceased ? 

Answer — I did. 

2964. Question — Did they ride ofi"? if so, in what direction? 
Answer — I saw two or more men that mounted with instructions to 

follow the negroes and persuade them to return. 

2965. Question — Did you leave the piazza before you returned to at- 
tend to your duties after the firing ceased ? 

Answer — I did ; I stepped on the groviud. 

2966. Question — To your knowledge, did Dr. Taggart cause men to 
dismount who were mounted that day, or immediately after the firing ? 

Answer — I know nothing of it. 

2967. Question — When Dr. Taggart called out and said : " Cease 
firing," what else did he say ? 

Answer — I did not hear any other remark. 

2968. Question — How many were killed and wounded at that time, if 
any? 



526 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer— One was killed; that is, a dead body was found near, said to 
have been killed at that time. 

2969. Question — Did you see the body? 
Answer — Yes. 

2970. Question — Did you examine it? 
Answer — I did. 

2971. Question — About how many shots vrere fired that day? 
Answer — I heard the firing, and to the best of my judgment, from four 

years' experience, I should say between forty and fifty shots were fired. 

2972. Question — Did you hear the person who came near where the 
Managers were sitting, and say to them, " The row has commenced," ask 
one of the Managers for the key of the store door? 

Answer — I did. 

2973. Question — Was it a key to the same store room door that you 
held ? 

Answer — That was the key I suppose he was asking for 

2974. Question — Did you get to the door before or after the man Avho 
asked for the key ? 

AnsAver — I got to the door before the door was opened ; but whether it 
was before or after the man who asked for the key I know not. 

2975. Question — If you don't know whether it was before or after the 
man who asked for the key got to the door, how can you testify that the 
door had not been opened ? 

Answer — I don't pretend to testify v.liether the door had been opened 
or not before I reached the door. 

G. W. Syfan, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

2976. Question — Are you a citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — I am. 

2977. Question — Do you reside in the village? 

Answer — I reside within the incorporate limits ; not immediately in 
the village. 

2978. Question — What is your profession ? 
Answer — A Railroad Engineer. 

2979. Question — Upon what road were you employed during the sum- 
mer of 1868 ? 

Answer — On the Abbeville branch of the Greenville & Columbia 
Railroad. 

2980. Question — Were you at Hodges' Depot, on the day that a colored 
man named Randolph was killed ? 

Answer — I was. 

2981. Question — Please state what you know of the circumstances of 
his death? 

Answer — I can't give you any information, only that I saw Randolph 
after he was killed. I was busily employed on my engine at the time I 
heard the reports of the pistols. Hearing the sound of the pistols, it 
alarmed me, and I got up on the platform of the engine, (I was on the 
ground,) and seeing the people running, I went to where the man lay. 

2982. Question — Did you see any person or persons there that day 
with guns or pistols in their hands ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 527 



Answer — I did not. 

2983. Question — How many pistol reports did you hear ? 
Answer — I cannot tell how many. 

2984. Question (by Mr. Wrightj — You passed over that road the day 
before, did you not ? 

Answer — I did. 

2985. Question — Did you see Mr. Randolph a day or two before he 
was killed ? 

Answer — I did. 

2986. Question — At what place did you see him ? 
Answer — At Hodges' Depot. 

2987. Question — At the time that you saw him at Hodges' Depot, the 
day or two before he was killed, was he in conversation with any person 
or persons ? and if so, Avhom ? 

Answer — To my knowledge, he was not. 

2988. Question — Do you know whether D. Wyatt Aiken was on the 
train at the same time ? 

Answer— I don't know that he was on the train ; he was at the depot. 

2989. Question — Did you notice him talking to Mr. Randolph ? 
Answer — I did. 

2990. Question — Did you liear anything that was said ? 
Answer — I did not. 

2991. Question — Did he (Aiken) appear to be somewhat excited at 
that time 'i 

Answer — I don't know that he was. 

2992. Question — Were there others around him at the time this con- 
versation was going on ? 

Answer — I think there Avas. 

2993. Question — At the time that you went to where the body of the 
deceased was lying, what white persons did you recognize around him, 
if any? 

Answer — None by him but the Express Messenger and myself. 

2994. Question — Please give us his name ? 
Answei' — Mr. DeBerry. 

2995. Question — Please tell us about how long it was after you heard 
the report of the pistol or pistols before you went to the body of Mr. 
Randolph ? 

Answer — Some ten or fifteen minutes. 

2996. Question — Was there not quite a crowd of white persons 
around there at that time ? 

Answer — Not more than are generally there. 

2997. Question — What colored persons, if any, were around the body ? 
Answer — There were no persons about the body when we went there. 

C V. Hammond, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

2998. Question — Are you a resident of the County of Abbeville ? 
Answer — I am. 

2999. Question — In what part of the County do you live ? 
Answer — In the village. 

3000. Question — What is your occupation ? 



528 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Conductor on the Abbeville branch of the Greenville and 
Columbia Railroad. 

3001. Question — Were you Conductor on that Road during the year 
1868? 

Answer — I was. 

3002. Question — Some time during the month of October of that year, 
did one B. F. Randolph ride from Hodges' Depot to this place with you ? 

Answer — He did. 

3003. Question — Before he got upon your car, on that occasion, do you 
remember of seeing him in conversation Avith any person or persons ? 

Answer — I saw him and Col. D. Wyatt Aiken in conversation on the 
platform. 

3004. Question — Did you hear any of the conversation ? 

Answer — I heard them talking, but not enough to understand any of 
the words of their conversation. 

3005. Question — What was it that drew your attention to the conver- 
sation ? was it loud and excitable 't 

Answer — It was a little louder than an ordinary conversation. 

3006. Question — Did persons gather around them during this conversa- 
tion ? 

Answer — Some few. 

3007. Question — Were they white or colored persons? 
Answer — I don't remember what the crowd was composed of. 

3008 Question — About how long was it after you heard this conversa- 
tion before your train started ? 

Answer — Up to within about three minutes befoi-e the train left. Mr, 
Randolph and Judge Hoge had taken their seats in the car, and were 
talking through the window to the crowd. 

3009. Question — The crowd of persons were near the window then ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3010. Question — He came to this place Avith you ? 
Answer — He did. 

3011. Question — When did he return? 

AnsAver — Judge Hoge returned the next day, and Mr. Randolph the ^ 
day following that. 

3012. Question — What took place after he returned at Hodges' Depot? 

Answer — The last time I saA\' him was, he Avas passing from the bag- 
gage car on the Abbeville branch to take a seat in the car on the Green- 
ville road. 

3013. Question — Did you hear the report of fire arms shortly after 
that? 

AnsAver — I did, about three minutes after that ? 

3014. Question— HoAv many times? 

Answer — I heard one clash ; there was e\ddently more than one re- 
port. 

3015. Question — Were there quite a number of people around there? 
Answer — No ; not as many as usual. 

3016. Question — Who did you see there that you kncAV ? white per- 
sons. 

AnsAver — I saw Mr. J. D. Roper, D. B. Gljaiiph, Langdon Conner ; 
that is all I recollect that live around there ; others Avere on the train. i 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 529 



8017. Question — Did you see Mr. Randolph Avhen he was shot ? 
Answer — No; I was two cars' length from him. 

3018. Question — How long after you heard the report was it before 
you learned he was shot ? 

Answer — About two minutes. 

3019. Question — Did you proceed then to where he was lying ? 
Answer — I did not. 

3020. Question — Did you see Fletcher Hodges at that time ? 
Answer — I don't recollect whether he was there at that time or not. I 

saw him the day before. 

3021. Question — Did you hear anything said of Mr. Randolph, either 
before he came up with you or when he was going back, by any person or 
persons ? 

Answer — I heard Mr. D. AV. Aiken say once, on the platform at 
Hodges', that Randolph ought not to be allowed to come here. I don't 
recollect whether it was the same day or not, but it Avas about that time. 

3022. Question — To Avhom did he say that? 

Answer — To several persons who were talking politics. 

3023. Question — Is that the only thing you heard said about Mr, Ran- 
dolph ? 

Answer — Yes ; of him individually. 

3024. Question — Where Avas the last place you saw Fletcher Plodgcs, 
prior to Mr, Randolph's death ? 

Answer — The last time I recollect seeing himSvas the day Judge Hoge 
went down, and the day before Mr. Randolph was killed. 

3025 Question — How far were you from the place at which Mr. Ran- 
dolph was shot ? 

Answer — About two car lengths ; that is, about eighty feet, 

3026. Question — Did you see the persons who shot him ? 
Answer — I did not. 

3027. Question — Did you observe any one with fire arms? 
Answei' — I did not. 

3028. Question — Did you see any effort made by any persons around 
there to see who it was that committed the deed ? 

Answer — I did not. 

3029. Question — Did the people appear to be much exercised on ac- 
count of his being shot ? 

Answer — There didn't appear to be much excitement. 

On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-mor- 
row, at 9 A. M. 



530 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 22, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 

A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

George Dusenberry, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

8030. Question — Are you a resident of Abbeville County ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3031. Question — How long have you resided in this County? 
Answer — Since 1854. 

3032. Question — How far do you live from the court house ? 
Answ^er — Four miles. 

8033. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Farmer. 

8034. Question — Do you hold any office at this time ? 
Answer — Member of the Legislature. 

3035. Question — Do you know of any outrages or depredations of any 
kind that were committed in this County, before or at the time of the 
late general election? and if so, just please state to us what you know 
about them, and what they were. 

Answer — I was not here at that time ; I was obliged to leave. Mr. 
Martin came to my house on Saturday night, the 4th of October, 18G8, 
(he was killed on Monday the 5th ;) he left my house next morning about 
half-past 8 A. M., (it v/as a sale day,) and said he was going to the court 
house. He had purchased in Columbia, some time before, at a sale, a bar- 
rel of whisky, and had made arrangements for Mr. Milford to take half 
of it; but he did not take half, for want of vessels to Y>ut it in. I said 
to Mr, Martin, before he left my house that morning, that if he had more 
than he wanted, I would take two gallons ; he said I had better take 
three; I told him I would send my son, (10 years old,) with a demijohn 
to get it. He said: " Can't your son drive a buggy?" I said, " Yes." 
He said : " Send him along after a while," and 1 did send him with a 
five gallon demijohn. That was the last I saw of Mr. Martin, dead or 
alive. My son returned about 3 P. M., crying. I asked him : " What is 
the matter V He said : " Two men met me one mile from the court house, 
on my way home, one of whom presented a pistol, and asked who that 
buggy belonged to V and he said : " To me." When the pistol was presented 
they told him to deliver the demijohn or they would shoot him, and they 
took the demijohn from him, and rode in the thicket. Then I began to 
feel quite uneasy, to think that two men would commit such a depreda- 
tion on a little boy, when they could have taken the demijohn without 
his resisting. I was uneasy, and questioned my .son, to see Avhat I could 
learn. He was very much terrified. From Avhat he told me, I had every 
reason to believe that they intended mischief; but I had no idea they 
were going to kill. He said : " They were very insulting." I knew^ noth- 
ing of Mr. Martin's assassination until the next day about 4 o'clock, and 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 631 



it was by chance, as I live one mile from the big road, and people seldom 
pass there unless they have business with me. I believed that they would 
assassinate me ; and from Avliat I have since learned, I believe they 
intended to kill the whole of us, (all the leading Republicans, I mean,) 
that day or night. I was afraid to go to Mr. Martin's funeral, fearing I 
would be killed. Fearing they would kill me after Mr. Martin's death, 
I took blankets and slept out in the thickets until the following Saturday 
night, except one or two nights, when a friend stayed with me. I dropped 
a few lines to Mr. Heart, the Governor's Private Secretary, stating about 
the assassination of Mr. Martin, and the reckless condition of things here, 
and that I thought I would leave at the first favorable opportunity. On 
Saturday morning I came to the court house, and took the train for 
Columbia ; I disguised myself on the road by changing my hats. I 
reached Columbia, but was fearful that I would be shot at Hodges' Depot, 
(the branch of the road.) On Sunday morning, in Columbia, as I went to 
call on the Governor, I met Mr. Randolph, in company with Mr. Green. 
I stated to him that Mr. Martin had been assassinated, and I said to him : 
" As you have been appointed to make speeches in Abbeville and else- 
Avhere, I thought it would be very dangerous for you to come up here." I 
never sav/ him afterwards. I left Columbia on Tuesday for New York, 
and remained there until the 20th of November, and reached Columbia 
on the 23d, the day prior to the meeting of the General Assembly. 

3036. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You state that you became satisfied 
that if you remained here, they would kill you ; whom do you mean by 
"they?" 

Answer — I meant the Democratic party ; I don't pretend to say all, be- 
cause I believe there are some good men in the Democratic party ; more- 
over, I believe there were men appointed from every Club to assassinate 
Republicans. There were reckless men here, who would kill a man for 
five dollars and a little whisky. 

3037. Question — Please state Avhat evidence it was that convinced you 
that you would be killed by the Democratic party if you had remained ? 

Answer — From what I have seen myself — insults and threats — and a 
good many freedraen have told me that they heard men say they intended 
to "put up" members of the Legislature, and men hohling office. I 
thought that Avas evidence enough that they intended to assassinate me. 
I heard afterwards that they said I had done wisely in leaving. I re- 
turned from Columbia on the 2nd of December, but had refused to return 
to Abbeville until I had some evidence of safety. Col. Thompson, of 
Abbeville, (whom I looked upon as a peaceable and conservative man, 
and who was a prominent lawyer,) came up in Janney's Hall, in Colum- 
bia, where the Legislature was in session, and sent word, by Mr. Jno. 
B. Moore, a member from Anderson County, that he wanted to see rae. 
I asked Col. Thompson if he thought it safe for me to return, as my 
family was here. He said he thought it was, and that I had no right to 
feel uneasy now ; at the same time, he presented the report of the Deiavan 
School, and wanted me to present it to the Legislature ; and I did so a 
few days afterwards. 

3038. Question — What are the names of those freedmen who told you 
that the Democratic party bad threatened to take the lives of the Re- 
publican ofiicers of Abbeville County ? 



532 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — There have been several, but I am unable at this time to give 
names. I was very much excited at the time. In registering, they as- 
sumed dilFerent names. Jerry Perrin, (I think that was his name,) was 
the man I sent the letter with, addressed to the Governor's Private Secre- 
tary. I deemed it dangerous to send any of my family. The reason I 
directed the letter to Mr. Heart was, that he w^as not generally known 
here. Had I directed it to the Governor, it is very doubtful whether he 
would have got it, as letters have been intercepted directed to prominent 
Republicans. 

8039. Question — My question Mr. Duseuberry, was, What are the 
names of those freedmen who told you that the Democratic party had 
threatened to kill the Republican officers of Abbeville County ? I have 
not understood the names ; please state them again. 

Answer — It is impossible for me to give their names at this time with 
any accuracy, as they have changed their names, as they were allowed to 
assume names in registering. 

8040. Question — Please mention the names they went by then ? 
Answ^er — I am unable Avith accuracy to give the names ; my memory 

is weak, as I have been sick for the last five weeks. 

3041. Question — Can't you think of one of the names ? 
Answer — I spoke of one — Jerry Perrin. 

3042. Question — What member of the Democratic party did Jerry 
Perrin tell you had threatened the lives of leading Republicans ? 

Answer — He did not speak of any one in particular ; that Avas the 
general talk. 

3043. Question — Now, please state your reasons for believing that men 
were appointed from every Club to assassinate leading Republicans ? 

Answer — Last summer, a year ago, duriiig the canvass, while we were 
at the extra session of the Legislature, at the Democratic meetings through- 
out the district, it was generally remarked by some of the principal 
speakers that we shouldn't be allowed to come back to live here, and it 
was said by others that we should not be allowed to live here. I can 
name two names in that respect, but I don't know whether it would be 
advisable; there are bad men here yet. To give these names, and should 
this be published, I would not feel safe to live here. 

3044. Question — Please give the names of those persons in Abbeville 
County that you believe would kill a man for five dollars and a little 
whisky ? 

Answer — I don't like to answer that question. I would like to give 
all the information I can, but I don't think it advisable to answer that 
question. 

3045. Question — But, Mr. Dusenberry, you have just sworn to tell the 
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and I do not see how 
you can avoid answering that question ? 

Answer — I don't think it advisable for me to give the names, as if this 
is to be published I would feel unsafe. I will state that one was a can- 
didate for Congress, but was not elected. He said that we members of 
the Legislature ought not to be allowed to live here. Another gentleman, 
not quite so prominent here, said that we should not be allowed to live 
here. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 533 



3046. Question — Was he a candidate for Congress in this Congressional 
District ? 

Answer — He was. 

3047. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that the colored people 
assumed different names from what they usually had ; did they usually 
have a surname ? 

Answer — Sometimes had. AVhen slaves, they more or less assumed 
their owners' names. 

Washington Rowe, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

3048. Question — Are you a citizen of Abbeville County? 
Answer — Yes. 

3049. Question — In what part of the County do you live? 
Answer— Green wo d . 

3050. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Bricklayer by trade. 

3051. Question — Were you living at Greenwood, prior and at the late 
general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3052. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed at Green- 
wood, prior or on the day of the general election ? and if so, please state 
what you know. 

Answer — The day before the election, in going from here to Green- 
wood, the tickets were taken from Wallace Evans. 

3053. Question — What kind of tickets were they ? 

Answer — Radical tickets, that we were taking for use at Ninety Six. 

3054. Question — Who was it that took those tickets from Evans 'i 
Answer — Capt. Jno. Boozer was the main man ; and Thomas Arnold, 

(he drew his pistol on us,) Bill Munday, Capt. Parks, Gus Aiken, and 
Bill Boozer. 

3055. Question — State in what way they acted ? 

Answer — They came out of the other train into the car we were, and 
asked us Avhat our business was to Abbeville. I told them I came up to 
see Noble on business. The other man said he came up to see and be 
seen. They then began pushing him about and searching him ; also 
pushed me about and searched me. They then asked Evans for the 
carpet-bag, opened it, and took out the tickets. 

3056. Question — What did they do with the tickets after they took 
them? 

Answer — They carried them with them, and at the depot showed them 
to others. 

3057. Question — Did you go down to Ninety-Six, and tell them the 
tickets had been taken from you ? 

Answer — No. 

3058. Question — Do you know whether or not Evans went down and 
let them know the tickets had been taken ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

3059. Question — Did the party who took the tickets ask Evans what 
box they were for ? 

Answer — Yes. 



634 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3060. Question — Did lie tell them tliey were for Ninety-Six ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3061. Question — Do you know if other Radical tickets went to Ninety- 
Six? 

Answer — I do not know. 

3002. Question — Did you ever see any of the colored people from 
Ninety-Six since that time ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3063. Question — Did you find out if other tickets reached there ? 
Answer — No. 

3064. Question — Did you go to the polls to vote on the day of elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — No ; they got at me the night before. 

3065. Question — Please state what occurred the night before? 
Answer — They came to my house, and sliot around the house. 

3066. Question— By tlieir coming to your house and shooting around, 
did that keep you from the polls? 

Answer — No, not exactly ; but I had been Avarncd before by Capt. 
Boozer and Capt. Parks not to come there. 

3067. Question — Did they simply tell you not to come there ? 
Answer — Capt. Boozer and Mr. Gus Aiken had told us not to put our 

feet on the ground, or to show our faces there, as it would not be well 
for us. 

3068. Question — Then, from what Boozer and Aiken told you, you 
didn't go to the poll ? 

Answer — I went to the depot to go to the polls to vote, and from what I 
saw, I thought it best to stay out of the way. 

3069. Question — State what you saw at the poll. 

Answer — I saw a number of men standing at the poll with pistols, and 
they began shooting. 

3070. Question — Who were they shooting at ? 
Answer — No one in particular. 

3071. Question — How many colored men were at the depot, when you 
were there? 

Answer — A great many had been there, but were gone. 

3072. Question — Do you know of any person or persons having been 
whipped or shot, prior to the day of election ? 

Answer — No. 

G. M. Mattison, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3073. Question — Are you a resident of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3074. Question — In what election precinct do you live ? 
Answer — At Donald's. 

3075. Question — Were you at Donald's on the day of the last general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes ; from early in the morning until late in the evening. 

3076. Question — Were you a JManager at that box ? 

Answer — No ; I was acting as Magistrate, and considered I was there 
as a peace officer. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 535 



3077. Question — Was there any disturbance of the public peace at that 
place that day i* 

Answer — No ; I never have Avitnessed a more quiet election than that. 

3078. Question — To the best of your knowledge, was every person, 
irrespective of color, allowed to vote as he chose ? 

Answer — Yes ; for I announced publicly to them they had a right to 
vote, and should vote as they pleased ; there were very few colored men 
voted in proportion to those entitled to vote. 

3079. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Is there any political organization in 
the precinct in which you reside ? 

Answer — There was a Democratic Club. 

3080. Question — Do you know whether the colored people had any 
political organization there? 

Answer — I don't know that they liad ; I heard they had a Union 
League. 

3081. Question — Were you connected with the Club? 
Answer — I was. 

3082. Question — Were you an active member ? 
Answer — I Avas Secretary of the Club. 

3083. Question — Did not a resolution pass that Club in relation to the 
non-employment of Radicals ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3084. Question — As Secretary of that Club, please state, as far as you 
can remember, the substance of that resolution ? 

Answer — That after the termination of the present contract we would 
not employ those who voted the Radical ticket. 

3085. Question — Was it not the intention by passing the resolution to 
keep the Radicals from voting? 

Answer — The object of the resolution was to keep them from voting, 
and strengthen the Democratic party. 

Daniel Childs, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

3086. Question — Are you a citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3087. Question — How long have you resided in this County? 
Answer — About fifty years. 

3088. Question — In what portion of the County do you reside ? 
Answer — Near Milway Post Office. 

3089. Question — About how many miles from Milway Post Office da 
you live ? 

Answer — Two. 

3090. Question — On whose place do you live? 
Answer — John C. Calhoun Childs'. 

3091. Question — Do you know of any threats or violence committed 
prior to the election, Avhereby any person or persons were kept from 
voting on the day of election? and if so, please state. 

Answer — I was kept from voting. On the Sunday before the election 
I met a man in the road, named Mr. Gilmore. He said : " Were you at 
the speech?" I said : " No, sir." He asked why I was not there. I 
said because I had company of my own to attend to. He said : " Are 



536 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



you a Radical or Democrat?" I said: " I am a Radical." He said: 
" You ought to have your damned head cut off. " I said : " Sooner the 
better." He said: "It will be cut oft* plenty time for your good, sir." 
A gentleman living a quarter of a mile from me, his name was Ephraim 
Rhoads, said to me one day : " I think well of you, and on the day of 
election don't go to the box, if you do, you will be killed before you get 
there." The day of election I sent a cousin of mine before me, and 
Avhen he got within a quarter of a mile of the box, in an old field, they 
were shooting across the road, and came out in the road to him, and 
said to him : " Where is your captain, as he is the very man I want to 
see, and he shan't get to the box." 

3092. Question — Did any person say anything to you on the day of 
election ? 

Answer — No ; I was a quarter of a mile behind my cousin, and heard 
the guns firing. 

3093. Question — Do you know of any person or persons being whipped 
or shot, pi'ior to the late general election 'i 

Answer — I never saw any done, but saw two men come into the field 
bloody, and in their shirt sleeves. That was on a Monday after I gave 
them, on a Sunday, the tickets to vote with. 

3094. Question — Did you ever see any persons traveling through the 
covmtry at night, called Bushwhackers ? 

Answer — No. 

3095. Question — Can you give us the names of tliose men who came in 
the field bloody ? 

Answer— Daniel Obey and Aleck, (don't know his surname.) 

3096. Question — Do you know who Aleck belonged to before the war ? 
Answer — James Weidman. 

King David, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

3097. Question — How long have you lived in Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

3098. Question — How far do you live from the court house ? 
Answer — At Hodges' Depot, about twelve miles from the court house. 

3099. Question — Did you vote at the late general election? 
Answer — No. 

3100. Question — 'Why did you not vote? 
Answer — I was working that day. 

3101. Question — Do you know of any outrages that were committed 
before or at the time of the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3102. Question — Do you know anything about the shooting of Mr. 
Randolph ? 

Answer — I was present when he was shot. I saw two pistols drawn on 
him, but didn't see him when he was shot ; I was within five steps of 
him, and before the pistols were fired I wheeled my back on him. 

3103. Question — How long was it after they drew their pistols on him 
before they fired ? 

Answer — It could not have been more than three minutes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 537 



3104. Question — You were within five steps of him, couldn't you have 
spoken and told him ? 

Answer — I didn't know Mr. Randolj^h was there. 

3105. Question — Did you know the men who fired the pistols ? 
Answer — I didn't know but one of them, and that was Mr, Talbert. 

3106. Question — Did you immediately go to where Mr. Randolph lay 
after he was shot? 

Answer — I don't know that I went immediately, but I went to the 
body. 

3107. Question — What white persons were there when you went ? 
Answer — I can't remember. 

3108. Question — At the time he was shot, what white persons were 
near there, if any ? 

Answer — I don't remember. 

Mitchell Goggins, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

3109. Question — How long have you lived in Abbeville County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

3110. Question — In what voting precinct do you live? 
Answer — Cokesbury. 

8111. Question — At what poll did you vote at the late general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — I did not vote. 

3112. Question — Why did you not vote ? 
Answer — Because we had no tickets. 

3113. Question — Do you know of any outrages or intimidations com- 
mitted prior to or at the late general election ? 

Answer — No. 

3114. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Blacksmith. 

8115. Question — Were you a member of any political organization? 
Answer — I was a member of the Union League. 

3116. Question — Was your League ever disturbed ? 
Answer — No. 

3117. Question — How often did you attend the League? 

Answer — When it first started, about once a week ; afterwards, about 
ouce every two weeks. 

Amos Nelson, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

3118. Question — Are you a citizen of this County? 
Answer — Yes. 

3119. Question — Do you live in this County? 
Answer — Yes ; lived here fourteen years. 

3120. Question — In what part of the County were you living at the 
late general election ? 

Answer — Cokesbury. 

3121. Question — Did you vote at the late Presidential election? 
Answer — No. 

3122. Question— State the reason why you did not vote. 

68 



538 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Because we couldn't get tickets. 

3123, Question — Do you know of any outrages committed at that 
time ? 

Answer — I saw Mr. Randolph after he was killed at Hodges' Depot. 

3124, Question — How soon did you get there after he was shot? 
Answer — About two or three hours. 

3125, Question — Did you hear any threatening language used by any 
person or persons while you were there ? 

Answer — I did not. 

3126, Question — How long did you remain there? 
Answer — Nearly all night. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

L. Pembrook Guflin, sworn : 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright. 

3127. Question— How long have you lived in the County of Abbeville ? 
Answer — All my life. 

3128. Question — What is your occupation ? 

Answer — I am a Deputy State Constable at this time and County 
Commissioner. 

3129. Question — Do yoii know of any outrages, threats, or any means 
that were used for the purpose of intimidating persons and keeping them 
from voting as they desired to, before or at the late general election ? 
and, if so, please state what those threats and outrages were, and what the 
means were that were used to accomplish that end. 

Answer — I was in the village on the day Mr. Martin was killed. I saw 
a party of men here ; they had held a meeting in the court house with 
closed doors. The party were Democrats. In the afternoon I started 
home, and when I got within half a mile of ray house I saw a party of 
four men come riding out of the old field into the road ; they were 
armed. I rode by and said to one of them (Talbert), " here is your 
mule." He said, " here is your rider." I knew two of those men — Joe 
Davis, commonly called Black Joe, (a citizen of the place at that time,) 
and W. K. Talbert. (I didn't know Talbert at the time, but afterwards.) 
The next morning, after hearing Martin was murdered, I went up to the 
old field and tracked their horses to the place where Martin was killed. 

3130. Question — Do you know of any other outrages that were com- 
mitted in this County before or at the time of the general election ? If 
so, state. 

Answer — I know that Randolph was murdered, but know nothing of 
the circumstances. The same week that Martin was murdered, a party 
came to my window, and opened the blinds, and started to raise the sash. 
I reached out from the bed, and picked up my Spencer rifle and cocked 
it, which made a noise, and they dropped the sash and shut the blinds. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 539 



3131. Question— To your knowledge, had there been any threats made 
against you ? 

Answer — I did not know of any. I went to Cokesbury on the day of 
election as a Deputy State Constable, and when I got there the colored 
voters Avere all standing off about two hundred yards from the polls ; 
some had gone home, and the rest were about starting ; all of them didn't 
have tickets, and those that had them were afraid to distribute them to 
the voters. There were white men at the polls, armed ; all armed, with 
the exception of some old men ; I saw their pistols. After I got there 
with the United States soldiers the colored men followed me up to the 
jjolls and commenced voting. There was no further disturbance, except 
that Tom Johnson was making a noise, and I told him to stop or I would 
have him shot. 

3132. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You state that on the day Mr. 
Martin was killed a party of men had a private meeting somewhere in 
town — you didn't know where. How do you know they had that meet- 
ing? 

Answer — Because I saw them come into the court house, and they 
closed the doors. 

3133. Question — You state also that the Democratic party had a 
meeting in the court house, with closed doors. How do you know it was 
the Democratic party ? 

Answer — I knew the leading men of the party. 

3134. Question — Please give us the names of the men whom you saw 
in the court house that day with the doors shut. 

■ Answer — Of course I couldn't see into the court house after the doors 
were closed. 

3135. Question — Whom did you see come up into the court house, and 
then the doors close ? 

Answ^er — I didn't pay particular attention ; I knew all the leading men 
at the time — Wm. McCall, Armistead Burt, D. Wyatt Aiken. 

3136. Question — You state that that afternoon on your return home you 
saw four men ; you say you didn't know Talbert at the time, but that you 
knew two of the men ; what were the names of the two ? 

Answer — I have given the names; Black Joe Davis and Talbert ; I 
knew it was Talbert after we captured him, and I knew he was one of the 
men that I met that day ; I knew Joe Davis at the time 

3139. Question — You state that on the day of the last general election 
you went to Cokesbury, and that the colored persons were standing about 
two hundred yards from the polls, and that some of them had gone 
home. Please state how you know that some of them had gone home. 

Answer — Because I met them coming from Cokesbury, as I was going 
to Cokesbury. 

3138. Question — You state further that the rest Avere about starting. 
How do you know ? 

Answer — Because they told me they were about starting home when I 
got there. 

3139. Question — You state that some had tickets, but were afraid to 
give them out. How do you know they were afraid to give them out ? 

Answer — The man who had the tickets told me they were afraid to 
give them out. 



540 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3140. Question — I suppose, theu, all you know about the rest of them 
being about to start home, and about those who had tickets being afraid 
to give them out, is just hearsay ? 

Answer — The man who had the tickets himself told me he was afraid to 
give the tickets out. 

3141. Question — Did I understand you to say there was no disturbance 
at Cokesbury, after you got there ? 

Answer — None except a little fuss between two white men. 

3142. Question — Now-, be so kind as to tell us the name of the man 
who you threatened to have shot, on that day, at Cokesbury? 

Answer — Tom Johnson. 

3143 Question — Did you have him shot? 

Answer — No ; I told him if he raised a disturbance he would be shot, 
and he would have been ; I told him my duty as an officer, and I would 
have carried it out. 

3144. Question (by Mr. Wright) — In what capacity did you go to 
Cokesbury, on the day of election ? 

Answer — As a Deputy State Constable. 

3145. Question — Did you have assistance? and if so, state who they 
were- 

Answer — Yes; United States soldiers. 

3146 Question — What Avas Tom Johnson doing, or attempting to do, 
that caused you to say to him what you did say ? 

Answer — He was making threats ; I told the crowd to get out of the 
house, and go round to the door to vote; he was tellmg the colored men 
if they voted the Kepublican ticket that they would "go up," and 
shouldn't have employment ; there was also a man there taking down the 
names of all those who voted the Republican ticket. 

3147. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Were you ever informed that, if you 
didn't join the Democratic party, you would be killed ? 

Answer — Yes ; A. P. Conner told me so. 

3148. Question — Is Mr. Conner a Democrat or Republican ? 
Answer — He did not, at that time, belong to any party. 

3149. Question — Did any one else ever say so ? 

Answer — Yes ; Charley Dendy told my brother Lem and I that our 
lives were in his hands, and all he had to do was to say the word. 

3150. Question — Did Dendy belong to any political party at that 
time ? 

Answer — He claimed to belong to the Democratic party. 

3151. Question — Have you ever ascertained who those other two men 
were you met on the evening Mr. Martin Avas killed ? 

Answer — I don't know who they were ; I Avould know them if I were 
to see them again. 

3152. Did you ever hear any one threaten the life of Mr. Martin, or 
say that he would be killed ? 

Answer — I cannot recollect. 

3153. Question — Have you ever heard the lives of any Republicans 
threatened ? 

Answer — I don't recollect. 

3154. Question — Did you hear any Democrat say he wouldn't employ 
any man who voted the Rejiublican ticket ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL, DISTRICT, S. C. 541 



Answer — Yes. 

3155. Question — Did you hear many say so ? 

Answer — I went to meet the Democratic Club at Barnes' Mill ; it was 
the Warrenton Beat Club. I heard a good many of thenv say they 
■wouldn't employ any man who voted the Republican ticket. I heard 
them say that at Cokesbury also. I belonged to the Warrenton Beat Club 
at that time, and that was the voice of the Club. 

3156. Question — Had you any particular object in view in joining 
that Club 't 

Answer — I first joined it to see what they were going to do. I didn't 
join it to save my life ? 

3157. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Will you please tell us what you 
went to meet Warrenton Beat Club for ? 

Answer — I was a member of it, and it was circulated around among 
the members that something important would come up, and they wanted 
all the members present. 

3158. Question — What did you ascertain the important matter to be ? 
Answer — Not much of anything ; Avanted all to throw in to have the 

Democratic tickets printed. 

3159. Question — Did you contribute anything toward publishing the 
Democratic tickets ? 

Answer — No. 

3160. Question — Were you a member of the Union League at the 
Bame time you were a member of the Democratic Club ? 

Answer — No ; I belonged to the Constabulary force. 

3161. Question — Is the Constabulary force a secret organization ? 
Answer — No. 

3162. Question — Did you subscribe your name to the Constitution of 
the Democratic Club ? 

Answer — I told my father to have my name subscribed, and he did 
it, and they thought I joined. 

3163. Question — Did you have your name subscribed to the Constitu- 
tion of the Democratic (^lub in good faith or for sinister motives ? 

Answer — I don't think it a fair question, and therefore refuse to an- 
swer. 

Charles N. Dendy, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

3164. Question — Are you a resident of the County of Abbeville? 
Answer — I am. 

3165. Question — How long have you resided in this County? 
Answer — Since my birth — twenty-three years. 

3166. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Nothing now ; farming last year. 

3167. Question — Do you know of any outrages that were committed 
in this County previous to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — I heard of a great many outrages that were committed, but 
I know nothing about them. 

3168. Question — Have yon not seen persons who had been shot and 
wounded, or killed, in the County of Abbeville ? 

Answer — I saw one that was wounded ; the doctor was dressing his 



542 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



wound ; he had been wounded some time before ; he belonged to this 
County ; he was wounded last year. I don't know what he was shot for. 

ol69. Question — Do you know anything of the circumstances of the 
shooting of Mr. Martin — see any display that day ? 

Answer — I am under bond of 65,000 to appear here, and stand my 
trial as one of Mr. Martin's murderers, and I therefore decline to answer 
the question. 

On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow at 
9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 23, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

J. W. Black, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

8170. Question — Are you a native citizen of Abbeville County ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3171. Question — In what election precinct do you reside ? 

Answer — Centreville; at the general election the voting bos was called 
Treble's. 

3172. Question — Were you at Treble's on the day of the last general 
election ? 

Answer — Yes ; I was there all day. 

3173. Question — Were you a JManager at that box ? 

AnsAver — No ; I was acting as Magistrate, and was requested to go 
there to preserve order. 

3174. Question — Was there any disturbance at Treble's on that day ? 
Answer — No more than usual at elections. In the evening, late, there 

was some shooting at a mark on a tree. 

3175- Question — From what you could see, was the election conducted 
according to law ? 

Answer — I think it was. I saw nothing to the contrary. 

3176. Question — Were any persons run off from that poll that day, 
and prevented from voting thereby ? 

Answer — I did not see any All could have voted that desired. I 
Avent there early in the morning, and Henry Bascomb approached Mr. 
Milford, a member of the Legislature, to know where his tickets were. 
Milford replied : " I don't know anything about them, but I will write 
tickets for you." The freedmen then held a caucus close by, and all left. 
Some few scattering ones (about seven or eight) came in afterAvards and 
voted. 

3177. Question — To your knowledge, did any person vote who was not 
legally entitled to do so ? 

Answer — I don't know that there was. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 543 



8178. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Who was it that was saying to the 
colored people on that day, if they voted they would be turned out of 
their houses and homes ? 

Answer — I didn't hear any person say so. 

3179. Question — How many persons did you see armed that day ? 
Answer — I saw a gun or two sitting around the shop. 

3180. Question — How many did you see? 

Answer — I didn't see any pistols. You can't see a pistol until you 
hear it ? 

3181. Q,uestion — How many shots did you hear that day ? 
Answer — I don't know ; I reckon they shot some fifteen times. 

3182. Question — You have stated that the election was conducted ac- 
cording to law, as far as you know ; were there any person or persons 
voted at that box whose names were not found upon the registration 
books ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

3183. Question — Did you see every person that did vote ? 
Answer — No, I did not. 

3184. Question — Were you near enough to the poll all day so you 
could see every person who went to the box ? 

Answer — The polls were opened in a blacksmith shop, on the side of 
the road ; the shop was open, and one could see through the cracks. 

3185. Question — About how many white persons were there that day ? 
Answer — I cannot tell. 

3186. Question — How many colored persons ? 

Answer — I think, when I went there in the morning, there were about 
fifteen, and then they dispersed and went oft'. 

3187. Question — How long did they stay, before they went oft"? 
Answer — I don't think they stayed more than half an hour. 

3188. Question — How came you to notice them so particularly? 
Answer — My attention was drawn to them from what Mr. IMilford said 

in reference to the tickets ? 

3189. Question — Do you know about how many voters there arc in 
that precinct? 

Answer — I can tell about how many white voters ; they were about 
two hundred strong. 

3190. Question — Are there not about as many colored voters, or more? 
Answer — I don't think there are. 

3191. Question — At the time that these colored persons were holding 
a caucus, how far were they from the polls ? 

Answer — Not more than thirty yards. 

3192. Question — How do you know that they were holding a caucus ? 
Answer — I only judge from their appearance, and their inquiry about 

the tickets. 

3193. Question — You said some seven or eight voted during the day, 
what ticket did they vote ? 

Answer — They voted the Democratic ticket. 

3194. Question — How do you know they voted the Democratic ticket? 
Answer — They said they did ; it was so counted. There was not a Re- 
publican ticket given at the box. 



544 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3195. Question — Who was it that stood near the box to take down the 
names of those who voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I didn't know of any person doing that, or know of any one 
for that purpose. 

3196. Question — Was it not the prevailing rumor that those who voted 
the Radical ticket were not to be employed the coming year ? 

Answer — No ; not in my community. 

3197. Question — You say not in your community; in what community 
was it? 

Answer — I don't knoAv. 

3198. Question — Have you not heard it in your community? 
Mr. Bryant — I object to that question, as it is mere hearsay. 
Witness — No. 

3199. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Do you know of a resolution being 
passed, in any Club, the subject-matter of which was the non-employment 
of persons voting the Radical ticket? 

Answer — I can only speak for my own Club. We had no I'esolutions 
to that effect. 

3200. Question — Were they not presented in your Club? 

Answer — I don't think they were; I know there was no action taken 
in our Club on anything of the kind. 

3201. Question — Did any colored persons belong to your Club ? 
Answer — Two or three. 

3202. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — AVas this firing at a mark on a tree, 
of which you have spoken, done before or after the colored people had 
left the vicinity of the ballot box ? 

Answer — After ; and very few whites were there ; it was late in the 
evening ; there was not more than a dozen people there at the time. 

3203. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You stated that on the day of elec- 
tion you were acting as a Magistrate ; were you not regularly commis- 
sioned as a Magistrate ? 

Ansv/er — I held over as a Magistrate from my old appointment four 
years ago. 

3204. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Do you or do you not know that 
there existed, prior to and at the late general election, a general system 
of intimidation and violence against all persons who professed Republi- 
can views ? 

Answer — There was a good deal of excitement and feeling upon that 
point. No ; I don't know that there was. 

3205. Question (by Mr. Bryant)— In answer to a question whether or 
not you knew of the existence of a general system of intimidation and 
violence against all persons who entertained Republican views, you have 
answered that there was a great deal of feeling upon that point ; do you 
mean by that answer that the subject of a general system of intimida- 
tion was agitated, and that there was a good deal of feeling upon that 
point ? 

Answer — There was no combination or any force used to prevent any 
person from voting. 

320(5. Question — Do you know of the existence of any organization 
previous to the last general election, the object of which organization was 
to intimidate persons entertaining Republican views ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 545 



Answer — I don't know of any organization of that kind, 
3"207. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How old are you ? 
Answer — About 55, I think. 

3208. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You stated that you were a member 
of the Centreville Democratic Club ; did not a resolution pass that Club 
the subject matter of which was that the members of the Club should 
pledge themselves not to employ those who voted the Radical ticket? 

Answer — No such resolution passed in our Club. 

3209. Question — Were you an active member of that Club ? 
Answer — No. 

3210. Question — Did you attend all the meetings of that Club? 
Answer — No. The Club was not in existence long ; they held only 

three or four meetings. 

3211. Question — Could not those resolutions have passed the Club, 
and you not know it ? 

Answer — No ; I think I would have heard of it. 

3212. Q.uestion (by Mr. Crews) — Was there a fair election held in this 
County last November ? 

Answer — As far as I know, there was. 

3213. Question — You say you belong to a Democratic organization 
at Centreville ? What was the object of forming that society ? 

Answer — To support the Democratic candidate. 

3214. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You stated that you were a mem- 
ber of the Centreville Democratic Club ; and, as such, do you not know 
that there were patrols organized for the purpose of breaking up the Union 
League in your settlement ? 

Answer — No. 

3215. Question (by Mr. Crews) — You said there was one or two guns 
at your box on the day of election ? Is it usual to carrj' guns on such 
occasions ? 

Answer — I can only say that it is not unusual in that neighborhood. 

3216. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You state that there were some guns 
sitting up against the shop ? Do you know how those guns got there ? 

Answer — I do not. 

3217. Question — Do you know to whom they belonged ? 
Answer — I do not. 

W. K. Blake sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3218. Question — Are you a native citizen of Abbeville County? 
Answer — I am ; born and raised in the neighborhood of Greenwood. 

. 3219. Question — In what election precinct do you reside ? 
Answer — Greenwood. 

3220. Question — Were you at Greenwood box on the day of the last 
general election ? 

Answer — I was ; but not at the box all the time. My place of busi- 
ness was then near the box, and I saw what was generally going on. 

3221. Question — Was there any disturbance there on that day? 
Answer — None that I wtnessed or heard of. 

3222. Question — From Avhat 3 ou saw, was the election conducted In 
strict conformity to law? 

69 



546 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I know it was. I have witnessed other elections, and never 
saw any fairer. 

3223. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Was there not some shooting around 
there that day ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. AVhen I was not at the polls I was at 
my office. 

3224. Question — How long were you at the polls? 
Answer — I was there frequently for short periods. 

3225. Question — Putting the different times together, how long were 
you there ? 

Answer — An hour and a half or two hours. 

3226. Question — Did you observe any person or persons who were 
armed at the diiferent times you were at the polls ? 

Answer — I saw none. 

3227. Question — Did you hear any shots fired on that day ? 
Answer — I heard no shots. 

3228. Question — What is your profession or occupation? 
Answer — A lawyer. 

3229. Question — How far is your office from the polls ? 
Answer — I suppose about one hundred yards. 

3230. Question — To your knowledge, were there any colored persons 
who voted at that box ? 

Answer — Yes ; many. 

3231. Question — Do you know what ticket they voted? 
Answer — I do know that all I saw voted were Radical tickets. 

3232. Question — What has been the general conduct of the colored 
people towards the white people in your vicinity ? 

Answer — Very peaceable and commendable. 

3233. Question — Is it, or is it not, a peaceable community ? 
Answer — It is. 

J. L. Clark, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

3234. Question — Are you a resident of the County of Abbeville ? 
Answer — I am ; live at Hodges' Depot. 

3235. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Silversmith. 

3236. Question — Were you at Hodges' Depot at the time B. F. Ran- 
dolph was assassinated ? 

Answer — I was not ; I was at work in a gun shop, one-half a mile from 
there. 

3237. Question — Were you at Cokesbury at the late general election ? . 
Answer — Yes. 

3238. Question — Was there any disturbance there that day, to your 
knowledge ? 

Answer — None that I know of; I was not there more than three- 
quarters of an hour or an hour. 

3239. Question — Did you see any persons that had guns or pistols at 
the time you were there 'f 

Answer — A good many men had pistols. 
3240.* Question — Did you hear any shots fired ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 547 



Answer — Not a one, that I know of. 

3241. Question — Did you belong to any political organization? 
Answer — I did not. 

3242. Question — Did you attend a meeting at Cokesbury at which D. 
Wyatt Aiken spoke ? 

Answer — I did not ; I was at a barbecue at John Turner's, where he 
made a speech ? 

3243. Question — Do you remember the language he used about driving 
the leading Radicals out of the country ? 

Answer — I do not ; I don't recollect. He said that every man who 
didn't belong to a Democratic Club was a Radical, and treacherous 
man. The reason I recollect that is, it raised a mighty row I know, and 
broke up in a row. 

8244. Question — Were the masses of the people at that meeting col- 
ored or white ? 

Answer — White. 

Samuel Donald, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3245. Question — Are you a native citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — 'Yes ; born and raised in the County. 

3246. Question — In what election j)recinct do you reside ? 
Answer — Donald's. 

3247. Question — Were you at Donald's box on the day of the last 
general election ? 

Answer — Yes ; I voted there. 

3248. Question — Were you a Manager at that box? 
Answer — No. 

3249. Question — How long were you at or near the ballot box ? 
Answer — Not a great while; I just voted and went off. I didn't at- 
tend the polls particularly. 

3250. Question — How far was your office from the polls ? 
Answer — I suppose about one hundred yards. 

3251. Question — Was there any disturbrnce at Donaldsville on the 
day of the last general election ? 

AnsAver — None at all, that I am aware of 

3252. Question — From what you saw, was the election conducted in 
strict conformity to law ? 

Answer — From what I saw it was strictly so ; nothing to the contrary. 
325-1 Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you know what is the voting 
population at Donald's precinct ? 

Answer — A full turn would be one hundred and fifty votes. 

3254. Question — Do you know the number of votes cast at the last 
general election ? 

Answer — I do not recollect now. 

3255. Question — Do you know whether the whites or blacks were in 
the majority at the time of the last general election ? 

Answer — I really do not know. 

3256. Question — Do you know whether any of the colored people 
voted at Donald's on the day of the last general election 't 

Answer — Yes ; some voted. 



548 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3257. Question —Do you know how many ? 
Answer — I do not. 

3258. Question — Do you know whether there was any political organ- 
ization at Donalds ville ? 

Answer — There was a Democratic Club. 

3259. Question — Were you a member of that Club ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3260. Question — Were you an active member ? 
Answer — I was President of the Club. 

3261. Question — Did or did not a resolution pass in that Club, the sub- 
ject matter of which was the non-employment of those who voted the 
Radical ticket ? 

Answer — There was. 

3262. Question — Did not a resolution pass the same Club, the subject 
matter of Avhich was that Radicals must not be allowed to vote at that 
box ? 

Answer — No. 

3263. Question — To the best of your knowledge, was not that a gen- 
eral rumor, in Donaldsville precinct, that Radicals should not vote on 
the day of election ? 

Answer — No, not to my knowledge. 

3264. Question — Do you know about how many Radical tickets were 
cast at that poll '( 

Answer — No ; but I am satisfied that all who presented themselves 
voted. 

3265. Question — Did or did not the Club, of which you were Presi- 
dent, appoint some one to be at the poll on the day of election, to take 
the names of those who voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

3266. Question — Did you preside at all the meetings of the Club ? 
Answer — I don't think I attended all the meetings. 

3267. Question — Could that person or those persons have been ap- 
pointed and you not have known it ? 

Answer — Had they been appointed by the Club I would have known 
it — while President, 

3268. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Do you know whether there were 
any Union League organizations in your precinct ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

3269. Question — As President of the Donaldsville Democratic Club, 
did you or did you not nominate committees to appoint patrols to break 
up the Union Leagues in your vicinity ? 

Answer — No. 

8270. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Since the passage of the Recon- 
struction Acts of Congress, have the white people in your community 
generally been peaceable and law-abiding ? or have they not ? 

Answer — They have been, as a general thing, peaceable and law- 
abiding. 

3271. Question — What has been the general conduct of the colored 
persons in your community ? 

Answer — Pretty good generally — peaceable and quiet — and conducted 
themselves as well as they do anywhere. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 549 

3272. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — To the best of your knowledge, 
was there or was there not a general system of threats used toward per- 
sons professing Republicanism, for the few months preceding the late 
Presidential election ? 

Answer — There was not, to my knowledge. 

J. K. Vance, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3273. Question — Are you a native citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — No, a native of Laurens, 

3274. Question — How long have you resided in Abbeville County ? 
Answer — About twenty-five years. 

3275. Question — In what election precinct do you live ? 
Answer — Cokesbury ; I vote there. 

3276. Question — Were you at Cokesbury on the day of the last gen- 
eral election ? 

Answer — I was. 

3277. Question — Were there any disturbances there that day ? 
Answer — Perfectly quiet, so far as I know ; I never saw a more or- 
derly election. 

3:^78. Question — Has the general deportment of the citizens of Cokes- 
bury precinct, since the termination of the late war, been quiet and 
peaceable, or not ? 

Answer — I would say it has been quiet and jjeaceable. I speak of the 
general deportment. 

3279. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You have stated you were at Cokes- 
bury on the day of the late general election ; did you vote on that day ? 

Answer — I did. 

3280. Question — Did you stay about the poll any time on that day ? 
Answer — Not a great Avhile. 

3281. Question — Did you stay long enough to see any person or per- 
sons vote '( 

Answer — I saw persons vote. 

3282. Question — Did you see any colored person vote? 

Answer — I didn't charge my mind with it, but I am satisfied I did see 
them. 

3283. Question — When you voted, did you go to the box and put your 
ticket in the box, or did you hand it to the Manager to put it in ? 

Answer — On that occasion I am not certain. 

3284. Question — Do you remember whether you went up to the table 
the box was on ? 

Answer — Yes, I did. 

3285. Question — Do you remember seeing any colored man at that 
table on which the box sat ? 

Answer — I do remember of seeing colored men there. 

3286. Question — Do you remember, in entering the door of the room, 
whether there was a table across the doorway, so that any person had to 
go around it to get to the table on which the ballot-box sat ? 

Answer — I don't remember. 

3287. Question — Do you not remember seeing some person taking the 



550 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



tickets from the colored people and handing them to the Manager at the 
box? 

Answer — No such thing occurred in my presence. 

3288. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How long had you been at Cokes- 
bury previous to the election ? 

Answer — Only a day or two. 

3289. Question — Where had you been living before that ? 

Answer — In Charleston. I spent some six weeks there previous to the 
election. 

3290. Question — Were you in business in Charleston? 
Answer — Yes. 

3291. Question — Then you were not in Abbeville during the exciting 
time of the campaign '{ 

Answer — Not immediately previous or subsequent. 

3292. Question — What has been the general deportment of the colored 
people of Cokesbury ? 

Answer — Very good. 

3293. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Previous to the election, did you 
register, and at what time ? 

Answer — I was registered previous to the election. 

3294. Question — On the day of election do you know of any persons 
entitled to vote that did not vote 't 

Answer — I am not able to say positively. 

3295. Question — Was there a general rumor whether any who were 
entitled tovote did not vote ? and if so, what was the cause ? 

Answer — There was a rumor to that effect. Various causes were as- 
signed ; one was that they would lose their places. No voter, white or 
black, assigned any reason to me for not voting. 

3296. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Did you hear any threats made by 
any person that they would turn oft' from employment any one that voted 
the Kepublican ticket ? 

Ansv.er — I have. 

3297. Question (by INIr. Bryant) — Will you please state a single per- 
son whom you have heard threaten to turn from employment any one who 
should vote the Republican ticket 't 

Answer — I cannot, and yet I am satisfied I have heard it, without be- 
ing able to name individuals. 

3298. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Was it not the common talk among 
the people that those Avho voted the Republican ticket would be turned 
off*? 

Answer — I believe it was. 

Mr. Bryant — I object to the answer, as we want no belief or think so. 

3299. Question — You are a Democrat, are you not? 
Answer — I am a Democrat. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 551 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 
No Avitnesses being in attendance, the Committee adjourned to meet to- 
morrow at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 24, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business — Mr. 
Wright acting Chairman. 

J. L. Miller, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3300. Question — How long have you been a resident of Abbeville 
County ? 

Answer — All my life. 

3301. Question — In Avhat election precinct do you reside ? 
Answer — Due West. 

3302. Question — Were you at Due West on the day of the last gen- 
eral election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3303. Question — Were you a Manager of Election at that poll ? 
Answer — No. 

3304. Question — Was there any disturbance at Due West on the day 
of the last general election ? 

Answer — None at all ; it was quietly conducted. 

3305. Question — What has been the general deportment of the citizens 
of Due West precinct since the inauguration of the new State govern- 
ment? 

Answer — It has been quiet and orderly. 

3306. Question — Have there been no outrages committed in your com- 
munity since that time? 

Answer — Yes ; one case that I recollect of. 

3307. Question — Please state what you know about that case ? 
Answer — Mr. Hawthorne had his dwelling burned, and in two or three 

weeks after his dwelling was burned, a vacant house that was on his prem- 
ises, (it used to be a female academy,) which was filled with cotton, was 
set on fire, or at least it was burned. 

3308. Question — Do you know anything about the persons who 
burned it? 

Answer — I do not. 

3309. Question (by Mr. Smalls)— Were you at the poll on the day of 
election ? 



552 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes. 

3310. Question — Do you know about the number of registered voters 
at that poll ? 

Answer — Some one hundred and twenty-five or one hundred and 
thirty, 

3311. Question — Do you know what portion of that number were 
white ? 

Answer — I cannot say positively. I suppose one hundred or over. 

3312. Question — Do you know about the number of colored? 
Answer — I think about fifty were registered. 

3313. Question — Do you know the number of votes cast on the day of 
election ? 

Answer — About ninety-two or ninety-three. 

3314. Question — Do you know the number of colored votes cast on 
that day ? 

Answer — Four. 

3315. Question — While at the poll on the day of election, did you see 
any colored persons there ? 

Answer — I saw some. 

3316. Question — About how many at any one time ? 
Answer — Six or eight. 

3317. Question — Do you know whether there was any political organi- 
zation at Due West '( 

Answer — Yes ; the Due West Democratic Club. 
8318. Question — Any other that you know of? 
Answer — Not immediately at that place. 

3319. Question — Were you a member of the Due West Democratic 
Club ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3320. Question — Were you an active member of that club ? 
Answer — I was President of the club. 

3321. Question — As President of that club, do you not know of a 
resolution introduced or passed in that club, the subject matter of which 
was the non-employment of persons who should vote the Radical ticket 
on the day of election ? 

Answer — Such a resolution Avas before the club, and discussed and 
canvassed, but met with opposition, and I am not sure that it ever 
passed. 

3322. Question — From the best of your knowledge, had it not been 
generally rumored about Due West precinct that persons voting the 
Radical ticket should not be employed ? 

Answer — No. 

F. A. Connor, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Biyant : 

3323. Question — Are you a native citizen of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — I am. 

3324. Question — In what election precinct do you reside ? 
Answer — Cokesbury. 

3325. Question — Were you at Cokesbury on the day of the last gene- 
ral election ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 551 



Answer — Yes. 

3326. Was there any disturbance at that poll ? 

Answer — None that came under my observation. I am not aware of 
any. 

3327. Question — How long were you at or near the poll during the 
day? 

Answer — In about an hour after the poll opened, and then the greater 
part of the day. 

3328. Question — From what you saw, was the election conducted in 
strict conformity to law ? 

Answer — It was- 

3329. Question — Did you see any person vote at Cokesbury that day 
who was not entitled to vote there ? 

Answer — All that I saw vote that I was acquainted with were entitled. 

3330. Question — Did you see any person on that day driven oft' and 
not allowed to vote ? 

Answer — No ; and no attempt to drive off*. 

3331. Question — Did you see the vote of any person refused on that 
day? 

Answer — I did not. 

3332. Question — What has been the general deportment of the people 
in the vicinity of Cokesbury since the inauguration of the new State gov- 
ernment ? 

Answer — They have been peaceable and quiet, but more or less 
excited under such a state of things ; no acts of violence that I am aware 
of. There were no acts of violence in the village of Cokesbury, and none 
in the community, that came under my observation. 

3333. Question (by Mr. Wright) — What time did you go to the poll 
on the morning of the general election ? 

Answer — I judge about an hour after the poll opened. 

3334. Question — How long did you remain near enough to the poll so 
as to see every person vote who came to vote ? 

Answer — I remained, from the time I went there, for the greater part 
of the balance of the day. 

3335. Question — Can you tell us how many, or about how many, per- 
sons you saw vote that day ? 

Answer — I cannot. 

8336. Question — Were the names of all those who voted found upon 
the registration book ? 

Answer— I do not know ; I didn't examine the book ; hadn't exam- 
ined it before the election or since. 

3337. Question — Did you see any who came to vote whom the Man- 
agers requested to testify in relation to their being registered somewhere 
in or out of the County ? 

Answer — I did not. 

8338. Question — Did you know every person that voted at Cokesbury 
that day ? 

Answer — I did not. 

8339. Question — You have stated that you did not know all the per- 
sons who voted that day ; that you did not know whether all who voted 
there were registered or not ; that you did not see any one certify before 

70 



554 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



the Managers that they were registered elsewhere ; and you have also 
stated that the election was conducted according to law. Now, if you 
did not know the facts just referred to, how do you know that the elec- 
tion was conducted in strict conformity to law? 

Answer — I did not say it was conducted in strict conformity to law — 
only so far as I saw. 

3339 L Question — You stated that the people in the vicinity of Cokes- 
bury were peaceable, but were excited at the state of things ; will you 
please tell us what state of things you refer to ? 

Answer — I refer to the general j^olitical condition of the country, and 
the general opposition, (almost unanimous of the Avhite citizens to the 
manner in which things were going,) in the political sense. 

3340. Question — Did you see any colored persons vote that day ? 
Answer — Yes ; I saw a few. 

3341. Question — Do you know what ticket they voted ? 
Answer — I do not. 

3342. Question — Was there any political association of any kind at 
Cokesbury ? 

Answer — There were Union Leagues, and Democratic Clubs. 

3343. Question — Were you a member of the Democratic Club ? 
Answer — I was President. 

3344. Question — Were you a member of the Union League ? 
Answer — I was not. 

3345. Question — How do you know, then, there was a Union League ? 
Answer — I know from declarations of the officers of the League ; I 

knew they met there ; I saw them going at different times to their place 
of meeting ; but I was never present. 

3346. Question — But how do you know that those persons from whom 
those declarations came were officers of the League ? 

Answer — Because they told me so. 

3347. Question — Was there a resolution introduced or passed in the 
Democratic Club of which you were President, the subject matter of 
which was the non-employment, as laborers, of those persons who voted 
the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — There Avere resolutions introduced against the employment of 
colored men who should vote the Radical ticket. Those resolutions were 
discussed at different meetings ; but never put to a vote. It was found 
that a majority of the members were opposed to it, and it died out. 

3348. Question — What is your occupation or profession ? 
Answer — I am a farmer and merchant. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 
On motion, the testimony taken during the week was read and revised. 
On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet Monday next 
at 9 A. M. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 555 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 26, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum beina; present, the Committee proceeded to business — Mr. 
Wright acting Cliairman, 

James B. Kay, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3349. Question — How long have you resided in Abbeville County ? 
Answer — About fifty-seven years, 

3350. Question — In what election precinct do you live ? 
Answer — Union. 

3351. Question — AVere you at the poll of Union precinct on the day 
of the last general election ? 

Answer — Yes, all day ; I was one of the Managers. 

3352. Question — Was there any disturbance at Union box on that 
day? ' 

Answer— No ; it was as quiet and peaceable an election as I ever saw ; 
the people came in and voted, and all remarked the quiet. 

3353. Question — Were the Managers sworn ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3354. Question — Did any persons vote at that poll who were not regis- 
tered there ? 

Answer — No. 

3355. Question — Were any votes refused on account of the politics or 
color of the person proposing to vote? 

Answer — No ; none. 

3356. Question — Have the people in your precinct been generally 
quiet and peaceable since the inauguration of the new State Govei'nment, 
or have they not ? 

Answer — They have, as far as I know. 

3357. Question — Have there been any outrages committed in your 
community ? 

Answer — None that I know of. 

3358. Question (by Mr. Mclntyrc) — You stated that you were one of 
the Managers of Election at Union precinct ; about how many colored 
persons voted there that day ? 

Answer — Not many ; I don't recollect definitely ; five or six came and 
asked us for tickets ; we read over the tickets, and they said it didn't suit, 
them ; two came to the box and asked the questions, the others remained 
at the door, and then they all Avent off. 

3359. Question — You stated that a few colored persons voted ; did they 
vote the Democratic or Republican ticket ? 

Answer — One voted the Democratic ticket. 

3360. Question — About how many colored persons did you have regis- 
tered on your books ? 

Answer— Not a great many. 



556 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3361. Question — Were there not some of their votes refused or chal- 
lenged ? 

Answer — No. 

3362. Question — About how many white persons were about the polls 
that day ? 

Answer — Between eighty and ninety; there were ninety-one votes 
polled there in all. 

3363. Question — About how many colored persons came to the poll 
that day ? 

Answer — Not exceeding ten or a dozen. 

^364. Question — Was there not a white person taking the names of 
the colored persons who voted the Republican ticket ? 
Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

3365 Question — You stated there were eighty or ninety white persons 
about the polls that day ; were those white persons armed ? 

Answer — I didn't see any. 

3366 Question — AVere you a member of any political organization at 
that time ? 

Answer — I was a member of the Democratic Club. 

3367. Question — What was the name of the Club to which you be- 
longed ? 

Answer — The Central District Club. 

3368. Question — Were you an officer in that Club ? 
Answer — No. 

3369. Question — Did or did not a resolution pass that Club, the sub- 
ject matter of which was the non-employment of persons voting the Re- 
publican ticket ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

3370. Question — Do you or do you not, know whether it was safe for 
i< ay person to express Republican views at that time in your vicinity ? 

Answer — It was quite safe, so far as my knowledge extends. 

3371. Question — How far did your knowledge extend ? 
Answer— Throughout the community, for eight or ten miles around. 

3372. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that it was safe for a 
Republican to express his sentiments anywhere, within your knowledge, 
in the County ; how do you know that it would be safe for a Republican 
to make a speech in that part of the country ? 

Answer — I have no grounds to believe any other way. 

3373. Question — Do you know of a Republican speech being made 
there ? 

Answer — I never heard one, or heard of one being made there. 
3374 Question — Were there not Democratic speeches made there ? 
Answer — Yes, some two or three. 

3375. Question — Made by whom ? 

Answer — James Cothran, AVarren Wilkes, of Anderson, and some 
others. 

3376. Question — Did you hear all of those speeches ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3377. Question — Which one of the speakers said all the leading Rad- 
icals ought to be driven out of the country, or words to that effect ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge were such words said. The worst 



THIRD CONGRESSONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 557 



blackguarding I heard was that Grant was a gassy smoker and horse 
jockey, and was not as smart as Thomas Hill, (referring to one of the 
neighbors). 

3378. Question — Was the box, where the persons voted, in a building ? 
Answer — It was in a school house. 

3379. Question — Were you there all day in the house ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3380. Question — If you were in the house all day, how do you know 
how many colored persons came about that building ? 

Answer — All I saw I speak of 

3381. Question — Then, you don't know but there might have been 
fifty or one hundred and fifty about the building ? 

Answer — I don't profess to know half the number about there. 
8382. Question — Did you hear a gun or pistol fire that day ? 
Answer — No. 

3383. Question — You stated that all the Managers were sworn ; Avho 
administered the oath to them ? 

Answer — Squire Black. 

3384. Question — Did you look upon the Registration Book, and find 
the name of every person who voted that day ? 

Answer — Yes. 

3385. Question — How do you know that one colored man voted the 
Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — He said he did. 

3386. Question — Do you know it only from what he said ? 
Answer — I only know from what he said, and one was counted ? 

3387. Question — What do you mean by saying there was one counted ? 
Answer — One of that color. 

3388. Question — Is he the only colored man that voted ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3389. Question — How could you tell by his color which way he voted ? 
Answer — I don't think but one voted. 

3390. Question — How many colored jiersons voted at the general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — None but one. 

3391. Question — How many Republican votes were cast at that time? 
Answer — Four. 

3392. Question — By whom were they cast — white or colored ? 
Answer — White. 

3393. Question — Give us the names of those who cast them ? 
Answer — A man named Wm. Ashley ; I can't think of the others. 

3394. Question — How do you know Wm. Ashley cast a Radical 
ticket ? 

Answer — He said he did ; he voted an open ticket. We wrote his 
ticket ; we only had Democratic tickets ; and those who voted otherwise 
had to write them. 

3395. Question — How many colored persons Averc near or about the 
poll on that day ? 

Answer — I didn't see more than ten or a dozen. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



558 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



EVENING SESSION. 
Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 
J. A. Leland, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

3396. Question — Are you a resident of Abbeville County ? 
Answer — I am — since 1862. 

3397. Question — In Avhat election precinct do you live ? 
Answer — Greenwood. 

3398. Question — Were you at Greenwood on the day of the last gen- 
eral election ? 

Answer — No ; I left for the North in August, and didn't return until 
after the election. 

3399. Question — What has been the general deportment of the citizens 
of Greenwood since the inauguration of the new State Government ? 

Answer — Quiet, with the exception of a small band of ruffians, who 
infested that neighborhood, of which Bill Talbert was the head. That 
band included the murderers of Martin and Randolph. Since the cap- 
ture of Talbert, and the dispersion of that baud, everything has been 
imusually quiet. I cheerfully give my testimony in behalf of the colored 
population of Greenwood, that they have conducted themselves with 
propriety, and their deportment has been exemplary. There has been 
less roguery and stealing than there was under the old system. 

3400. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — How do you know that this band 
included the murderers of Martin and Randolph ? 

Answer — Two of them — Joshua Logan and John West Talbert — 
confessed to me, as Magistrate, that they, Avith W. K. Talbert, shot Ran- 
dolph, and were implicated in the murder of Martin. 

3401. Question (by Mr. Wright) — What is your profession ? 
Answer — I have been a teacher for the last twenty years ; I was eight 

years professor of the Military Academy, and six years as professor in 
Davidson College, in North Carolina. 

3402. Question — About how often did that band of ruffians visit your 
vicinity ? 

Answer — We expected them every Saturday, particularly if it were a 
rainy Saturday. 

3403. Question — Did they commit any depredations when they came ? 
and if so, upon what class of people ? 

Answer — In the day time they were guilty of acts of rowdyism, swear- 
ing, drinking and shooting pistols, so that ladies would not go out 
upon the streets, and it was generally rumored and believed that they 
committed depredations at night upon freedmen. 

3104. Question — Were there, to your knowledge, any efforts made by 
the citizens for the apprehension of those persons ? 

Answer — Many of the law-abiding citizens were anxious that the band 
should be suppressed, but they were always heavily armed, and under- 
stood to be mutually bound, to the death, to each other, and for that rea- 
son the citizens considered it too great a risk to attempt to arrest them. 

On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow at 
9 A.M. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 559 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

Third Congressional District, 

Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 27, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M, 
A quorum being present, the Committee pi'oceeded to business — Mr 
Wright acting Chairman. 

S. P. Boozer sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant: 

3405. Question — How long have you been a resident of Abbeville 
County ? 

Answer — All my life. 

3406. Question — In what election precinct do you reside? 
Answer — Greenwood. 

3407. Question — Were you at Greenwood on the day of the last gene- 
ral election ? 

Answer — I was. 

3408. Question — Was there any disturbance at that poll on that day ? 
Answer — To the best of my knowledge, there was never a more quiet 

election held in my town. I was a merchant, and was not out a great deal 
in the day, and only speak from Avhat I sav/ ; hut I Avould say that I 
visited the poll that day, as I usually have heretofore on election days. 

3409. Question — Did you see any person driven from the poll that 
day, and not allowed to vote ? 

Answer — No. 

3410. Question — Did you see the Managers refuse any vote that was 
offered ? 

Answer — No. 

3411. Question — Did you see any person vote that day that you knew 
not to be entitled to vote ? 

Answer — No. 

3412. Question — To the best of your knowledge, have the people in the 
vicinity of Greenwood, since the inauguration of the new State Govern- 
ment, been peaceable and quiet or otherwise ? 

Answer — They have been, as far as political affairs are concerned, quiet 
and peaceable 

3413. Question (by Mr. Wright) — What time did you go to the poll 
on the day of election ? 

Answer — Before my dinner hour. 

3414. Question — How long did you remain at the polls ? 

Answer — I don't remember particularly ; somewhere, I judge, from ten 
minutes to half an hour. 

3415. Question — At the time you were there did the Managers of the 
election find the names on the registration book of all those persons 
you saw vote? 

Answer — I can't answer the question ; I didn't have the box ; no one 
was refused a vote that I know of. 



560 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3416. Question — You have stated that you did not see any one vote 
who was not entitled to vote ; do you know whether there were persons 
who voted that were not entitled to vote ? 

Answer — Not whilst I was there. 

3417. Question — Do you know that the Managers of Election did eon- 
duct the election according to law? 

Answer — So far as I know, they did. 

3418. Question — Did they find your name upon the registration book 
w^hen you went to vote ? 

Answer — To the best of my recollection, they did. 

3419. Question — Can you tell us about how many persons you saw vote 
on that day ? 

Answer — I can't say positively ; but I saw several. 

3420. Question — Do you know whether the Managers of Election did 
refuse the vote or votes of any person or persons on that day ? 

Answer — No ; they didn't refuse anybody, so far as I know. 

3421. Question — Taking all the time together that you were at the 
poll, how long were you at the poll on that day ? 

Answer — I can't say positively ; somewhere from ten minutes to half 
an hour. 

3422. Question — During the time that you were at the polls, did you 
see any person or persons that were armed ? 

Answer — I can't say that I did at the polls immediately ; on the streets, 
of course I did. 

3423 Question — Did you hear any firing on tliat day ? 
Answer — I don't remember. 

3424. Question — About how many colored persons did you see around 
the poll on that day ? 

Answer — I don't remember of seeing any. 

3425. Question — Did you see anygColored person vote on that day ? 
Answer — I don't remember that any of them voted. 

3426. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, did any 
colored persons vote on that day ? 

Answer — I don't think any voted on that day. 

3427. Question — Were you a member of the Democratic Club at that 
place? 

Answer — I was, and for the first month or tw^o was Secretary. 

3428. Question — Were you at the meeting of the Club at the time these 
resolutions were introduced, to the efiect that those colored persons who 
voted the Radical ticket should not be employed as laborers ? 

Answer — I don't think there was such a resolution when I was Secre- 
tary; but there was a resolution containing that subject-matter. That 
had reference particularly to day hands, and we, as a class, carried out 
our contracts with those Ave had employed. 

3429. Question — Those day hands spoken of were not turned off, 
then, inasmuch as they didn't vote at the election spoken of above ? 

Answer — I don't know that any of them were turned oti'. 

3430. Question — What was the general conduct of the colored people 
in your vicinity before the general election ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 561 



Answer —As regards my own liands, I never had better ones; tlicy 
have done well. 

On motion, at 12 M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P, M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

No witnesses being in attendance, and after some pi'climinary business, 
on motion, at G P. M , the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow at 
9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Abbeville C. H., S. C, July 28, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 

A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

William A. Giles, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

3431. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3432. Question — How long have you resided in the County? 
Answer — Since my birth. 

3433. Question — How far do 3'^ou live from the court house ? 
Answer — About twenty miles. 

3434. Question — In Avhat election precinct do you live V 
Answer — Lowndesville. 

3435. Question — \iere you there at the time of the late general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — I was. 

3430. Question — Were you one of the Managers ? 

Answer — I was not. 

3437. Question — Did you vote at that time? 
Answer— I did. 

3438. Question — To your knowledge, was there any disturbance at or 
about the poll ? 

Answer — There was none that came under ray observation. 

3439. Question — About what time on that day did you go to the poll ? 
AnsAVcr — About 9 o'clock A. M. 

3440. Question — Ilow'long, or about how long, did you remain atlhe 
poll? 

Answer — Nearly all day. 

3441. Question — AVho were the Managers of Election? 

71 



562 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — M. L. Kennedy, John W. Brown and Wm. Prather. 

3442. Question — Do you know how many votes were east at that poll? 
Answer — Between three or four hundred. 

3443. Question — Do you know how many colored persons, if any, voted 
at that poll ? 

Answer — At least half of the votes cast were by colored persons. 

3444. Question — Do you know how many, or about how many, voters 
there are in the precinct in which you live? 

Answer — I cannot say. 

3445. Question — Did you see any person or persons armed that day ? 
Answer — I remember distinctly of seeing one man, and may have seen 

many others. 

3446. Question — Did both classes of the voters generally turn out and 
vote that day ? 

Answer — A general vote ; a full vote of the whites. 

3448. Question — What has been the general conduct of the colored 
people towards the whites ? 

Answer — They have been generally, peaceable and quiet. 

3449. Question — What has been the general conduct of the whites? 
Answer — Very good. There have been some outrages committed uj)on 

the blacks by foreigners — men from Tennessee. A white man and a 
negro Averc killed near Lowndesville by parties nnknoAvn. 

3450. Question — Will you mention some of the outrages that were 
committed upon the blacks ? 

Answer — I was a Magistrate, and issued warrants against Briscoe and 
Curtis for robbing freedmen. 

3451. Question — What disposition was made of those men ? 
Answer — They never have been arrested. 

3452. Question — How do you know that they were foreigners ? 
Answer — Only from common rumor; they were not citizens of our 

community. They claimed to be from Tennessee. 

3453. Question — Have there been any bands of persons traveling 
through your neighborhood disturl)ing the peace at night? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

3454. Question — Have not many complaints l)een made to you by 
freedmen that they have been whipped, or outraged by persons un- 
known ? 

Answer — I don't remember of any. 

3455. Question — Prior to the general election, were there any political 
Clubs or Leagues in your vicinity ? 

Answer — There was a Democratic Club. 

3456. Question — Were you a member ? 
Answer — I was. 

3457. Question — Were you an oflicer? 
Answer — I was Corresponding Secretary. 

3458. Question — Were you at a meeting at the time resolutions were 
introduced, whicli provided that no person sliould be employed who 
voted the Radical ticket? 

Answer — I reineml)er that a resolution Avas passed that those who voted 
the Democratic ticket should have the preference in contracts ibr labor. 

3459. Question — ^What were the means devised by the Club to ascer- 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 563 



tain the names of those who voted the Democratic ticket on that day? 

Answer — They voted open tickets, both Radicals and Democrats; 
but no means were taken as tar as I know to ascertain how they voted? 

8460. Question — Was there or Avas there not some person or persons 
who stood near the poll to take the names, and ascertain how they 
voted ? 

Answer — Persons stood around the poll. I can't say for what purpose 
they were there. 

3461. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Were you a member of the grand 
jury, at the last term of the Court? 

Answer — I was. 

3462. Question — Do you remember how many witnesses were before 
the gran<l jury in the case of State vs. Dr. M. Taggart? 

Ans\ver-^I think ten or twelve ; I can't rememl)er. Every witness 
whose name was on the bill of indictment, and handed in by the Solicitor, 
and Avho was present, was examined. 

3463. Question — Do you remember whether Dr. Taggart's In-other was 
on the grand jury? 

Answer — He had a l)rother-in-law on the jury, but no brother. 

3464. Question (by Mr. Crews) — You stated all the names of the wit- 
nesses on the indictment were examined ? (Indictment shown.) 

Answer — All those marked, and who were present, were exannned? 
3465 Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did you on that occasion examine 
the wife of the deceased ? 
Answer — I don't remember. 

3466. Question — Do you know whether every witness marked on the 
record was examined by the grand jury ? 

Answer — I can't remember distinctly, but every witness that was 
present was examined. 

3467. Question (by Mr Crews) — Can you say, positively, that any of 
the witnesses marked on the record were examined ? 

Answer — I remember, distinctly, Iversou Keynohls. 

3468. Question — Were there any relatives of Butler or Kennedy on the 
grand jury? 

Answer — I don't know. 

3469. Question (by Mr. Wright) — How many persons were on the 
grand jury at the time that witnesses were examined in the case of the 
State vs. Dr. Mose Taggart ? 

Answer — Thirteen. 

D. B. Glymph, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. AVright : 

3470. Question — How long have you resided in the County of Abbe- 
ville ? 

Answer — About thirteen years. 

3471. Question — How far do you reside from the court house? 
Answer — About eleven miles by railroad. 

3472. Question — In Avhat election precinct? 
Answer — Cokesbury. 

3473. Question — Before the late general election, did you know of any 
outrages that were committed upon any person or persons. 



564 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes ; there was one at Hodges' Depot — Randolph. 

3474. Question — Please go on and state what you know of that occur- 
rence ? 

Answer — The day it hapi)ened was on a Friday ; there was a circus in 
Abbeville, and a good many persons came up ; I was coming up myself; 
after the arrival of the Abbeville train and Greenville train, some one 
cried out a man was killed ; I was in a bar room opposite, and heard the 
report. 

8475. Question — On hearing the report what did you do ? 

Answer — I ran to the door, and saw some one lying some twenty or 
thirty steps from where I was standing. 

3476. Question — At that time did jou learn Avho it was ? 

Answer — I did ; some one stepped in from the upper end of the plat- 
form, and said it Avas Randoljjh. 

3477. Question — Did you proceed to the place where he was lying? 
Answer — I was busy at the time, and did not until the trains were 

about leaving ; there Avas a large crowd around him at the time, and 
wlieu the train left they left. 

o478. Question — Was there, or was there not, an unusually large crowd 
of persons there on that occasion ? 

Answer — I can't say there was ; I was not out much that day, and 
there might have been. 

8479. Question — Were there any persons shooting around there that 
day ? 

Answer — There were seven or eight shooting down behind Bryant's 
store. 

3480. Question — Can you give us the names of those seven or eight iu 
the crowd that were shooting ? 

Answer — Two Talberts and a man named Logan, Fletcher Hodges, 
Langdou Conner, Pomp Davis or Bryant, I don't know which ; after the 
shooting around they called rae to the door, and Fletcher said they 
wanted a drink, and all refused but Logan, and he took a drink ; they 
sat outside of the door, and talked about fox hunting, hound-pup])ies, 
and chicken fighting ? 

348L Question — Did Fletcher Hodges call for the drinks before or 
after they had been practicing shooting ? 

Answer — Afterwards. 

3482. Question — How long was it after he called for the drinks before 
Mr. Randolph was shot ? 

Answer — About an hour and a-half. 

3483. Question — Did you see Mr. Randolph, a day or two l)efore he 
was shot ? 

Answer — Yes ; I saw him sitting in the train when he and D. Wyatt 
Aiken had some Avords. 

3484. Question — Did you hear any of the Avords that passed between 
Mr. Randolph and D. Wyatt Aiken ? 

AnsAver — I did not. 

3485. Question — What appeared to be the feeling of the citizens in 
that vicinity against those belonging to the Radical party? 

AnsAver — I don't think they had any great love for Radicals. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DKISTICT, S. C. 565 



3486. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — What is your occupation at Hodges' 
Depot ? 

Answer — I keep a dinner house for passengers on Greenville and 
Columbia Railroad. 

3487. Question — On the day those persons you named were shooting 
behind Bryant's store, did you see D. AVyatt Aiken that day ? 

Answer — I did not. 

3488. Question — Did you or did you not hear it rumored about 
Hodges' Depot that day that Randolph was to come from Abbeville that 
day ? 

Answer — No. 

3489. Question — You stated that when you heard the report of pistols 
you ran to the door ? When you got to the door, did you sec any person 
or persons have pistols in their hands ? 

Answer — None that I saw. 

3490. Question — Did you sec any person or persons mount their horses 
and ride off? 

Answer — No. 

3491. Question — Did you iTot hear it rujuored about that Randolph 
went to Abbeville, and that when he returned to Hodges' Depot he would 
be shot ? 

Answer— No. 

3492. Question — Do you know whether the citizens at Hodges' Depot 
made any eflbrt to arrest the parties who committed the deed ? 

Answer — As far as I know, no efforts Avere made. 

3493. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, could the 
citizens around there have arrested the guilty parties? 

Answer — If the parties now charged with the murder of Randolph 
were the parties who committed it, I don't believe the citizens could have 
arrested them. 

3494. Question — Did you vote on the day of the late general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — Yes ; at Cokeshury. 

3495. Question — Did you stay in or al)out there any time? 

Answei' — I was there about twenty-five miiuites. I voted in about ten 
minutes after I got there ? 

3496. Question — Did you see many persons at the polls? 
Answer — There Avere a good many. 

3497. Question — AVere the majority of them Avliite or colored ? 
AnsAver — About a hujulred and fifty or tAvo hundred of each. 

3498. Question — When you voted, did the Managers of Election take 
your ticket and put it in the box, or did you put it in yourself? 

AnsAver — One of them took it. 

3499. Question — Did you see any colored persons vote on that day? 
Answer — I saAV tAvo or three vote Avliile I Avas there ; I saAV about thirty 

or forty standing about. 

3500. Question — Did those tAvo or three you saAv vote, vote the Demo- 
cratic or Republican ticket ? 

AnsAver — I don't knoAV. 

3501. Question — Did you see the Managers of Election take the tickets 
froDi those colored men and open them ? 



566 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Auswcr— I did not. 

8502. Qucstiou — Were llie colored people allowed to go up to the box, 
the same as you did ? 
Answer — I don't know. 

3503. Question — Do you know whether those colored men got their 
tickets inside or outside the house ? 

Answer — I can't say ; I saw them with the tickets in their hands ? 

Beverly Vance, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

3504. Question — Are you a citizen of Abbeville County? 
Answer — I am. 

3505. Question — Hoav long have you resided in the County ? 
Answer — Twenty-two years. 

3506. Question — In what portion of the County do you reside? 
Answer — Near Cokesbury. 

3507. Question — Were you residing at Cokesbury prior and at the late 
general election ? 

Answer — I was. 

3508. Question — Do you know of any outrages or intimidations com- 
mitted prior or at the late general election i" 

Answer — I don't know, only that the colored people didn't have any 
showing at all, and I was kept away from the polls. 

3509. Question — Were you at Cokesbury on the day B. F. Randolph 
was killed at Hodges' Depot 'i 

Answer — I was a mile from Cokesbury. 

3510. Question — Did you go to the poll on the day of election ? 
Answer^I did, 

3511. Question — Did you vote on that day ? 
Answer — I did not. 

3512. Question — Please state the reason why you didn't vote, if you 
went there with that intention ? 

Answer — I Avent there with that intention, and the reason I did not vote 
I was considered a leader in my party, and I was threatened, if I did vote, 
that I would be killed in less than ten hours. 

3513. Question — By whom were you threatened, and what were the 
threats made ? 

Answer — Samuel Vance came to me as a friend, and advised me not 
to vote, and said if I did I would be killed in less than ten hours, and 
he had used all the efforts he could to save me, and all the way he knew 
I could be saved, was for me to join the Democratic party. I replied, "If 
any one has any prejudice, enough to shoot me, because I do not see fit to 
agree with them, they must shoot as many holes in me as there Avere in 
a riddle before I will, and then I will not ; and if it will be any accom- 
modation to them for me not to vote, I will not." I have heard speeches 
made. I heard D. Wyatt Aiken speak at a Democratic meeting, and he 
advised the colored men not to go to the polls on election day, for if they 
did, they would paint the old field with their bones. He also said that 
the colored people had been led astray by the carpet-baggers of the North ; 
they were trying to make the colored men gentlemen, and the white peo- 
ple hewers of wood, and drawers of water, and before they (the white pec- 



THIRD CONGRESSONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 567 



pie) would suffer that to be done tliey would grind the colored people 
into powder. 

3514. Question — You stated that Mr. Vance came to you and said he 
would give you friendly advice ? Were you and Mr. Samuel Vance 
friends ? 

Answer — Yes, always had been ; we were raised together. 

3515. Question — Did Samuel Vance claim to be a Democrat or Re- 
publican ? 

Answer — A Democrat, and belonged to the Club. 

3516. Question — Was it or was it not generally rumored about Cokes- 
bury that any person voting the Radical ticket would be turned otf from 
employment ? 

Answer — It was. 

3517. Question — Do you know any person or persons having been 
turned ofl' for voting the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — They were threatened, but not turned off, as I know of. I 
heard that D. Wyatt Aiken said that I and my family should be turned 
out of house and home, and that no Democrat should employ me, because 
I had made a speech to my party. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow 
at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 
Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

A. L. Welch, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

3518. Question — Do you live in this county? and if so, state how long? 
Answer — Yes ; since 1865. 

3519. Question — In what part of the County were you living at the 
time of the late general election ? 

Answer — In the neighborhood of Calhoun's Mill. 

3520. Question — Did you vote on the day of election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

3521. Question — About what time did you get to the polls? 
Answer — About 11 A. M. 

3522. Question — About how long did you remain there? 
Answer — About an hour or an hour and a half. 

3523. Question — During the time you were there did you see any col- 
ored persons vote ? 

Answer — I saw but one vote. 

3524. Question — Do you know what ticket that one voted ? 
Answer — No. 

3525. Question — About how many white ]>ersons did you see there? 
Answer — About fifty. 

3526. Question — Were they armed ? 
Answer — I only noticed one man armed. 



)68 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



3527. Question — About how mauy colored persons were there ? 
Answer — Probably one hundred. 

8528. Question — Were any of the colored persons armed ? 
Answer — I did not see any. 

8529. Question — Did you know of any person being shot that day ? 
Answer — I saAv a negro who had been shot ; I saw him a few minutes 

after he was shot. 

3530. Question — Please state what you know about it. 

Answer — I don't know how it was done ; I only heard the circum- 
stances. 

3531. Question — During the time you were there did you hear the re- 
port of any firearms ? 

Answer — Yes ; the one when the colored man was shot ; it was the only 
one fired, and I suppose, as the man Avas shot, it took effect. 

3532. Question — When you voted did you put your ticket in the box, 
or did the Manager put it in for you ? 

Answer — I don't recollect 

8533. Question — Did you hear any person or persons on that day use 
any threatening language towards members of the Republican party ? 
Answer — No. 

3534. — Question — Do you l)elong to any political organization ? 
Answer — I did belong to the Democratic Club. 

3535. Question — What was the name of that Club? 
AnsAver — C-alhoun's Mill Democratic Club. 

3536. Question — Did or did not a resolution pass that Club in relation 
to the non-employment of pei'sons voting the Republican ticket? 

Answer — It did. 

3537. Question — Were there or were there not patrols organized l)y that 
Club to go through the settlement to break up the Union League ? 

Answer — I do not know such a thing to be a fact ; but in conversation 
with some of the members they said it Avould be a good thing if the 
Leagues could be broken up. 

3538. Question — Although a resolution in reference to patrols was not 
brought before the Club, was it not tacitly understood among the mem- 
bers that patrols were to be organized ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

3539. Question — Did you ever attend any public meetings of the 
Democratic party ? 

Answer — No ; never heard a Democratic speech since 1 have been in 
South Carolina. 

3540. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed im7nediately 
preceding the late Presidential election ? 

Answer — I don't know of any. 

3541. Question — Were you not at that time acquainted with one 
Briscoe, a notorious <lesperado? 

Answer — No ; only from character. 

3542. Question — Do you or do you not know that there was an armed 
band of men called the Ku Klux Klan travelling tlirongh the country to 
intimidate Republicans? 

Answer — I do not. 

3543. Question — What is your occupation ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 569 



Answer — Farmer. 

3544. Question — Did you or did you not have a difficulty with some 
person or persons ? 

Answer — Yes ; with Briscoe, but no other man. 

3545. Question — Please give us a statement of the difficulty. 
Answer — About the 28th of November a warrant was issued by Squire 

McCaslan, on my affidavit, charging him with stealing a horse. I 
brought tlie warrant to town and handed it to Sheriff Cason. He told 
me he could do nothing with it, as he could get no one to arrest Briscoe. 
While in conversation at the time with the Sheriff', Briscoe rode up the 
main street, and I pointed him out to the Sheriff, and he refused to arrest 
him. After he refused to arrest Briscoe, I Avas then deputized by Squire 
McCaslan to serve the warrant. I summoned a posse comitatus, and they 
all refused to assist me. 

3546. Question — On what grounds did the citizens refuse to assist you 
to arrest Briscoe ? 

Answer — The answer Avas that Briscoe had done one good thing for the 
country — he had shot Bingham, an United States revenue officer, at 
Lowndesville. 

3547. Question — Was there or was there not a general system of intim- 
idation and violence used towards persons professing Republican senti- 
ments immediately preceding the general election? 

Answer — No violence was used that I know of. Of course they were 
bitterly opposed to the Radical party. 

3548. Question — Where were you on the day Mr. Martin was killed ? 
Answer — I was home in bed with fever, and heard the ncAvs that night. 

3549. Question — Where were you on the day Mr. Randolph was 
killed ? 

Answer — I don't recollect. The months of September and October I 
was confined to my room by sickness. 

3550. Question — AVas there or was there not a manifested disposition 
to get rid of the Radical leaders at that time ? 

Answer — It was generally spoken of that it would be a good thing i I' 
the Radical leaders could be put out of the way. 

3551. Question — Was not this subject spoken of in the Club to which 
you belonged ? 

Answer — Not when the Clul) was in session, but in private conversation 
between a few. 

3552. Question — Did not your Club appoint men for taking the names 
of those who voted the Republican ticket at the polls? 

Answer — Not that I know of 

3554. Question — How far do you live from the Court House ? 
Answer — About thirty miles. 

3555. Question — About how often did Briscoe visit your settlement 
last fall ? 

Answer — He stayed in the neighborhood ; he was boarding with Mrs. 
Miller and Jack Griffin — that was his rendezvous. 

John Link, sworn. 

Direct examination l)y Mr. Mclntyre : 

3556. Question — In what part of the County do you live ? 

72 



670 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — In tlie neighborhood of Calhoun Mills. I have been living 
there thirty-eight years. 

3557. Question — Did you vote on the day of the late Presidential elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — I did. 

3558. Question — About what time did you arrive at the polls, and how 
long did you remain there ? 

Answer — I v/ent about 10 A. M., and stayed until about 3 P. M. 

3559. Question — During the time you were there did you see many 
persons vote ? 

Answer — Yes, both white and black. 

35G0. Question — Do you know what ticket the colored persons voted ? 

Answer — The blue ticket. 

3561. Question — Were the white persons armed at the polls? 

Answer — I saw tw'o men armed. 

3502. Question — Did you hear the report of any fire-arms that day ? 

Answer — One. 

3563. Question— Were the colored persons armed? 
AnsAver — I didn't see any. 

3564. Question — At that time, did you belong to any political organi- 
zation ? 

Answer — To the Democratic Club. 

3565. Question — Were you there when a resolution was passed, the 
subject matter of which was, the non-employment of persons voting the 
Republican ticket ? 

Answer — It was introduced ; I quit that Club, and never signed the 
resolution. I joined another Club, four miles from here, and no such 
resolution was passed in that Club. 

3566. Question — Was it not tacitly understood, in either Club, that 
they should get rid of Republican leaders whenever opportunity offered? 

Answer — I never heard it expressed in that way. 

3567. Question (by Mr. Wright) — You stated that some of the colored 
people voted the Radical tieket ; how do you know they voted the Radi- 
cal ticket ? 

Answer — I saw the color of the ticket ; they were blue. 

3568. Question — Did you read any of the tickets ? 
Answer — No, none they voted. 

3569. Question — Hoav do you know they voted the Democratic ticket ? 
Answer — I saw them get their tickets. 

3570. Question — Hoav do you knoAv that they voted the ticket you saw 
them get ? 

Answer — I am not positive about it. 

3571. Question — Do you know how many, or about how many, colored 
persons there were who voted on that day ? 

Answer — No. 

8572. Question — How many did you see go to the box and vote ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

3573. Question — Did you sec any ? 
Answer — I saw none. 

3574. Question — Did they put their tickets in themselves ? 
Answer — Some did, and some handed them to the Managers. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 571 



3575. Question — You stated you were there about all day ; do you 
know how many votes were cast at the poll that day ? 

Answer — No, not exactly. 

3576. Question — Did there or did there not a crowd of colored people 
go away without voting ? 

Answer — I can't say. 

3577. Question — Was any person shot there that day ? 
Answer — Yes, a boy was shot. 

3578. Question — Who were those two men you saw armed !* 
Answer — Mr. Branch had a pistol, and Dr. Lathrop. 

3579. Question — What has been the general conduct of the colored 
people in your vicinity ? 

Answer — Better than I ever expected ; veiy good. 

3580. Question — What has been the general conduct of the whites in 
your neighborhood ? 

Answer — As good as ever was. 

3581. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Farmer. 

3582. Question — Do you employ colored people on your farm ? 
Answer — Yes. 

On motion, the Committee adjourned, subject to the call of the Chair- 
man. 



ANDERSON COUNTY. 



PROCEEDINGS AND EVIDENCE. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

Third Congressional District, 
Anderson C. H., S. C, August 18, 1869. 
The Committee met this day in the court room, and, a quorum being 
present, proceeded to business. 

David A. Woodson, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

1. Question — What is your name, your occupation, where do you 
reside, and how long have you resided tliere? 

Answer — David A. Woodson ; printer ; Anderson Court House ; about 
eighteen years. 

2. Question — What has been the condition of Anderson County, as 
regards good order and obedience to tlic hxws, since the organization of 
the new State government, July 12, 1868 ? 

Answer — Good. 

8. Question — During the last rresi<lcntial campaign, were you a mem- 
ber of any political organization? and if so, what was the name? 

Answer — I was not a member, at that time, of any political organiza- 
tion. 

4. Question — Were you a Manager of Election in any precinct in 
Anderson County at the late general election, held November 3, 1868? 
and if so, Avhich one? 

Answer — Yes ; at Anderson Court House precinct. 

5. Question — Was the election in Anderson precinct, on November 3, 
1868, conducted in strict conformity to law ? 

Answer — It was. 

6. Question — Was there any disturbance at or near the poll on that 
day? and if so, please state the nature of the disturbance. 

Answer — There was no disturbance. 

7. Question — Did any pei-son or persons vote at this poll whose names 
were not found upon your registration books ? 

Answer — None. 

8. Question — Was every one who desired to vote allowed to vote as 
he chose, without molestation ? 

Answer — Yes. 

9. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You stated that you did not belong to 
any political organization prior to the general election. Did you not 
attend a meeting of the Democratic Club of this town ? 

Answer — I never did. 

10. Question — Were you connected with a newspaper prior to the 
general election, as you stated you were a printer? 

Answer — No. 



576 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



11. Question — Were you accustomed to visit the various portions of 
this County during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — No. 

12. Question — Please tell vis how you know that the general deport- 
ment of the County has been good, when you have not visited different 
portions of the County. 

Answer — From the press and general information. 

13. Question — AVhen you say from the press, do you mean the Ander- 
son Intelligencer f 

Answer — Yes. 

14. Question — Did not general rumor state that persons were mur- 
dered in some portions of this C'ounty ? 

Answer — No ; I don't recollect of a murder committed in this County 
since the passage of the Reconstruction Acts. 

15. Question — On the day of the general election were all persons al- 
lowed to come to the ballot box, and put their tickets in the box, or did 
they hand them to the Managers ? ■> 

Answer — Each voter put his ticket in the box. 

James A. Hoyt, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

16. Question — What is your name and occupation ? where do you re- 
side ? and how long have you resided there? 

Answer — James A. Hoyt, editor of the Anderson Intelligencer, reside 
at Anderson Court House, and liave for upwards of twelve years. 

17. Question — During the late Pj-esidential campaign, were you a mem- 
ber of the Democratic District Central Clul) of Anderson County ? and 
if so, what position did you hold therein? 

Answer — I was and am a member, and have held the jwsition of Presi- 
dent from its organization. 

18. Question — Did the Democi'atic organization in Anderson County 
have any connection with the Ku Klux Klan, or any other secret organ- 
ization, or did they seek by threats or violence to intimidate the colored 
persons from voting as they chose? 

Answer — There was no connection between the Democratic Clubs and 
the Ku Klux Klan, or any other secret organization, and neither do J 
know there was any Ku Klux Klan, or secret organization of the kind 
in the County. The Democratic Clubs <lid not seek by threats or vio- 
lence to intimidate colored people. I was appointed one of the canvassers 
for the district, and made several public speeches, generally addressing my 
remarks to the colored people, and, I think in every instance, told them 
they could vote as they pleased, and pledged niyself I would see tluit tliey 
should do so. Other canvassers did the same, and there Avas no policy on 
the part of the Democratic organizations to compel the colored people to 
vote against their own will. 

19. Question — What has been the general condition of Anderson 
County, as regards good order and obedience to the laws, since the organi- 
zation of the new State government, July 12, 18fi8 ? 

Answer — The general condition of Andei-son County has been quiet 
and peaceable, and the people law-abiding. 



THIRD C0NC4RESSI0NAL DISTRICT, S. C. 577 



20. Questiou — Were there any outrages committed iu Anderson 
County, during the few months immediately preceding the general elec- 
tion ? and if so, please state what you know in relation thereto 't 

Answer— The only outrage that I know of, from the organization of 
the new State Government until after the general election, was the shoot- 
ing of a colored man iu the " Dark Corner." He was known to me as a 
Democrat, and I don't think politics had anything to do with the shoot- 
ing. 

21. Question — Were you present at the voting place of any election 
precinct iu Anderson County at the late general election ? and if so, please 
state where. 

Answer — I was present at Anderson Court House, on the third day of 
November last. 

22. Question — From the best of your knowledge, was that election con- 
ducted in strict conformity to law, and was every person allowed to vote 
Avithout molestation ? 

Answer — So far as I know, the election was conducted fairly, and ac- 
cording to law, and no intimidation to prevent voters from exercising the 
privilege of voting as they chose. 

23. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Did you preside over all the meetings 
of the Democratic Central Club, from its organization to the time of the 
late general election ? 

Answer — I think I presided over every one. 

24. Question — Did not a resolution pass that Club, the subject-mattpr 
of which was the non-employment of any person or persons who should 
tove the Iladical ticket on the day of the late general election? 

Answer — Such a resolution was never introduced, within iny know- 
ledge. 

25. Question — Was it or Avas it not generally rumored that any per- 
son Avho voted the Iladical ticket shoidd not be allowed to stay on any 
white man's plantation iu Anderson County ? 

Answer — There were individuals who made declarations of that sort ; 
but, as a general rule, these declarations were never carried out. 

26. (Question — You stated that a colored person Avas shot in a portion 
of this County known as the Dark Corner ; do you know whether the 
party or parties who shot that colored man were brought before a Court 
of justice ? 

Answer — They have never been arrested, so far as I know, and neither 
have I heard any of their names. 

27. Question (by Mr, Mclntyre) — You stated there Avere individuals 
Avho made declarations that persons voting the Radical ticket should not 
be alloAved to stay on plantations, but they Avere never carried out; how 
do you know they were never carried out ? 

Answer — From personal observation in cases I knoAV of. 

28. Question — How far does your observation extend ? 

AnsAver — In various portions of the County, l)ut more particularly in 
this immediate neighborhood. 

29. (Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Was there or Avas there not a local 
Democratic Club in the town of Anderson ? 

Auswei' — Yes. 

rrn 

io 



578 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



30. Question — Were there not many colored men in the town of An- 
derson members of that local Club ? 

Answer — There were no colored men belonging to the local Club of the 
place. An eftbrt was made to organize a separate colored Democratic 
Club ; a few joined, but it failed. 

31. Question — Were there not many colored men in town who claimed 
to be Democrats ? 

Answer — There were a few colored men who voted the Democratic 
icket at every election, but their numbers were very small. 

32. Question — Had not the Democratic Club appointed a committee 
to see that those colored men came up and voted the Dem cratic ticket 
at the general election ? 

Answer — There were no such committees appointed. 

33. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were meetings of the Democratic 
Club public ? 

Answer — Tlie meetings of the Central Club were held in the court 
house on sale day, but one or two extra meetings of the Central Club on 
private days were held in the Club room of the Ander&on local Club. 
The local Club met every Saturday night. It was not a public meeting, 
but there was nothing secret about it; the doors and windows were open. 

34. Question — Was an oath administered to members ? 

Answer — There was no oath, pledge or resolution, beyond what was 
published in the Andermji InteUif/encer. 

35. Question — What was tiie politics of the Managers of Election at 
Anderson Court House at the general election ? 

Answer — I believe they were all Democrats ; but I don't believe any 
but Woodson belonged to the Democratic Club. 

36. Question — What v/as the politics of the Commissioners of Election 
of Anderson County at the late general election ? 

Answer — The Cliairman, Colonel J. W. Norris, was a Democrat; the 
others, Cochran and Pickerell, were Radicals; but it v/as understood a 
week before the election that Pickerell had turned over ; this was after 
the Managers were appoiuLed. 

37. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Do you know Jesse Pickerell ? 
Answer — Barely know him by sight. 

38. Question — Do you know his general standing in this County? 
Answer — I know very little about him. 

39. Qiiestion — Do you know Harriet Freeman ? 
Answer — I do not. 

40. Question — Do you know Miss Mary Hicks, late a teacher of col- 
ored people? 

Answer — Yes. 

41. Question — Would you believe any statements she would make on 
paper ? 

Answer — I don't know her sufficiently to answ^er. 
Mr. Bryant — I object to the question, as it is not in conformity to the 
rules of evidence. 

42. Question — Do you know of any difficulty she had in town with 
any one ? 

Answ<M- — I can only give you hearsay; T heard that some young men 
were rude towards her ; she went to a Magistrate and had a warrant is- 
sued. 



/ 



THIRD CONGRESSONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 579 



43. Question — Do you know the parties ? 

Answer — I am not positive ; I think one was named Taylor. 

44. Question (by Mr. ]5ryant) — Were there any persons killed within 
Anderson County during the time intervening Ironi the passage of the 
Reconstruction Acts of Congress to the general election, November od, 
1868. 

Answer — Only one person, and that was in a drunken row, and had 
nothing to do with politics. 

45. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What was the name of that man ? 
AnsAver — John Magill. 

46. Question — Were you present when he was killed ? 
Answer^No. 

Samuel Johnson, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

47. Question — Are you a citizen of Anderson County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

48. Question — Hoav long have you resided in this C'Ounty ? 
Answer — Thirty-three years. 

49. Question — In what portion of the County do you reside? 
Answer — Anderson C. H. 

50. Question — Do you know of any outrage or intimidation commit- 
ted prior to the general election, whereby any person or persons were 
prevented from voting as they saw fit ? 

Answer — No. 

51. Question — Do you know of any threats, made by any individual, 
that if any person voted the Radical ticket they should not be allowed 
to work their land ? 

Answer — I have heard many such threats. 

52. Question — Please give us the name or names of those persons you 
heard making those threats. 

Answer — Alfred Neill told me that no negro who voted the Radical 
ticket should work his land ; Mr. Jordan liurns and Mr. John Eliaa 
Earle told me the same. 

5o. Question — Do you know of any persons turned off from their 
places after voting? 

Answer-— I do not. 

54. Question — Did you attend the Democratic meeting held near the 
depot when AVade Hampton and D. AVyatt Aiken spoke? 

Answer — Yes. 

55. Question — Did you hear the speeches ? 
Answer — I did ; I heard Wade Hampton. 

56. Question — Do you remember any of his remarks ? 

Answer — He didn't say anything like threats, but used good, sound, 
strong arguments in behalf of the Democratic party. 

57. Question — Was that meeting quiet? 
Answer — Yes. 

58. Question — Was there any disturbance in town on that day ? if so, 
please state. 

Answer — Y'es ; three colored men came from Abbeville, claiming to be 
Democratic speakers ; one Ijarber, from Columbia, claimed to be- 
long to the Democratic Club, and, with some white boys and men 



580 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



raised a riot with some of the colored people in the public square ; the 
one from Columbia threatened violence, and was armed with a pistol. 
When the excitement became so strong, I went to Squire Wilson's office, 
to know if something couldn't be done with the person. Pie said ho 
could take out a peace-warrant, but he knew very well they could give 
security immediately, and, by waiting, probably they could get some- 
thing against them, so they could be handled by law more severely. At 
that time, Peter AVilliams, a colored man, walked out in the S(|uare and 
said he was a Radical, and he'd be damned if he cared who knew it. A 
portion of the party hallooed out : " If you are a Radical, you will have to 
hide out ;" and he ran, Avhen about from fifty to seventy-five ran after 
him with knives, some few pistols and stones, and passed by the window 
of the office where I was, and said : " It is damned well that you hid out." 
Squire Wilson told me to stay in the office and not go out, and asked me 
if I knew the leaders of the riot. 

59. Question — Do you know of any Democrats in this town going to 
the business house of any individual and making him go to the poll and 
vote the Democratic ticket on the day of the general election ? 

Answer — I do not. 

GO. Question — Is that the only riot (which you have stated) you know 
of in this town prior to the general election ? 

Answer — No ; I know of another. 

01. Question — Please state all you know in connection with it. 

Answer — AVhen I came up before the hotel door, (or rather, the door 
of the barber shop,) the man from Columbia, (previously referred to), 
had a pistol in his hand, and another colored man, Lawrence Galloway, 
was talking to him, and telling him he wasn't afraid of his pistol ; and 
in the public square there were about twenty persons ; among the num- 
ber, about seven Avhites, telling them the niggers had better leave there, 
as they were imposing on the barber, on account of being a Democrat, 
and turned to me and told me to drive them away ; and I told them the 
public square belonged to them as much as to anybody else, and they 
could stay where they pleased. In a few days they took a warrant out 
for every one that claimed to be a Radical, but each one gave security. 
I asked the Magistrate if it was a riot, and what Avas tlie reason he didn't 
take it for the whole party ? and he said the balance of them had not 
been reported to him yet. 

62. Question — Who was that Magistrate ? 
Answer — John Whitfield. 

63. Question — Did any person go to the Magistrate to take out a war- 
rant against the person who had the pistol ? 

Answer — No, only for information. 

64. Question — What was the information given by the Magistrate ? 
Answer — He said if I wanted a warrant taken out for him, I could 

get it. I told him I didn't know if it was worth while, as the whole 
fuss was on a party question. 

65. Question — Do you know whether those parties who were arrested 
as the rioters were ever tried ? 

Answer — I don't think they were ; I was not. 

66. Question — Do you know of any violence committed on a colored 
lady, named Miss Hicks, who was teaching school here ? 

Answer — It did not come under my observation. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 581 



67. Question (by Mr. Mcliityre) — State, if you know, whether it was 
safe for a Republican speaker to canvass the County immediately pre- 
ceding the late general election. 

Answer — I don't know. 

68. Question — Did you canvass the County, or a portion of it, before 
the general election ? 

Answer — Yes, two montlis before the election. 

69. Question — Were you ever threatened while canvassing the Comity ? 
Answer — No person tlireatened me, but warned me it was dangerous. 

70. Question — Were you warned l)y the Democrats or Republicans ? 
Answer — Both. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow 
at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Anderson C. H., S. C, Aug. 19, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

John Wilson, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

71. Question — AVhat is your name? what office do you hold, if any? 
where do you reside ? and how long have you resided there ? 

Answer — John Wilson ; am a Magistrate ; reside at Anderson C. II., 
and have resided about fifteen years in the village. 

72. Question — Were you an acting Magistrate during the last Presi- 
dential campaign ? 

Answer — I was, and have been acting continuously since 1861. 

73. Question — What was the general condition of Anderson County, 
as legards good order and obedience to the laws, from the inauguration 
of the new State Government, July 12th, 1868, up to the Presidential 
election, November 3d, 1868 ? 

Answer — So far as the observance of the law by the citizens, it had 
been as good as formerly, excepting in cases of larceny (there were more 
of them than usual). There were some individuals travelling over the 
country who committed some depredations ; they were outlaws, and com- 
mitted depredations upon white or black indiscriminately. 

74. Question — Were there any person or persons killed within the 
limits of Anderson County during the time that intervened between the 
inauguration of the new State Government and the late Presidential 
election ? 

Answer — None, within my knowledge. 

75. Question — Were you at the poll in Anderson village at the time 
of the late Presidential election, November 3, 1868 ? 



582 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I walked to tlie poll to cast my vote, and did not remain a 
longer time than to do so ; but my office is in sight of the i)olling place, 

76. Question — From what you saw of the election, was it conducted in 
conformity to law ? 

Ancwer — Whilst I was at the poll all was quiet. 

77. Question — To your knowledge, were there any intimidations or any 
undue influences brought to bear on voters ? 

Answer — None that I know of on that day. 

78. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Were you in town on the day D. 
Wyatt Aiken, Gen. Hampton and others spoke ? 

Answer — Yes. 

79. Question — Did you or did you not witness any disturbance on that 
day ? if so, please state what you know about it ? 

Answer — There was a disturbance. In Avalking to my office, I saw a 
disturbance in the public square; heard loud talking, and came up for 
the purpose of stopping it, and commanding peace. As I reached the 
square, Samuel Johnson, a colored man, accosted me, and, I think, asked 
me for a peace warrant against a colored barber, named Tom. I told 
him to follow me to my office, which he did, after which I went out and 
dispersed the crowd. Those two persons Avere the principal disturbers of 
the peace, and they had their friends around them ; Avho were the first 
aggressors, I do not know. 

80. Question — Did you give the warrant ? 
Answer — No ; they didn't desire it afterwards. 

81. Qaescion — Were any warrants taken out for any of the parties? 
Answer — No ; not for that occasion ; there was another disturbance, 

and warrants were issued, but not by me. 

82. Question — Do you know anything connected with the other dis- 
turbance? 

Answer — I do not. 

83. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you belong to either of the po- 
litical parties during the late Presidential campaign? 

Answer — No ; I never attached myself to any political party. I re- 
garded the ultra Aving or faction of either alike inimical to a good gov- 
ernment. 

Jos. L. Dawson, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

84. Question — Are you a resident of Anderson County '( if so, please 
state in what election precinct you reside, and how long you have re- 
sided there ? 

Answer — I am ; been here tAvelve years, and reside in Anderson pre- 
cinct. 

85. Question — What was the general conduct of the citizens of Ander- 
son County, as regards good order and obedience to the laws, from the in- 
auguration of the new State government, July 12, 1868, to the last gen- 
eral election, November 3, 1868? 

Answer — Good. 

86. Question — Were there any outrages committed in this County du- 
ring the time just mentioned? and if so, state. 

AnsAver — If there Avere any, I don't remember. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 583 



87. Question — Duriog tlie Presidential ciimpaign, were you a member 
of any political organization ? and if so, please state its name. 

Answer — I was a member of the Democratic Central Club of this 
County. 

88. Question — Was it the determination of the Democratic party in 
Anderson County, to cany the general election by intimidating the 
colored people from voting ? 

Answer — It was not the intention or purpose of the Democratic Club 
to nse any violence or force. 

89. Question — Were you a Manager of Election in Anderson precinct ? 
Answer — I was not. 

90. Question — Did you go to the poll of any election precinct in this 
County that day? 

Answer — I did, at this place. 

91. Question — About how long did you remain at or near the poll on 
the day of election ? 

Answer — About three minutes. 

92. Question — Did you see any irregularities or any disturbance about 
the poll while you were there ? 

Answer — I did not. 

93. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Were you an active member of the 
Democratic Central Club ? 

Answer — No. 

94. Question — Do yon know of a resolution introduced in that Club, 
the subject-matter of which was, the non-employment of any person who 
should vote the Radical ticket? 

Answer — I do not. 

95. Question — Had it not been generally rumored among the citizens 
of Anderson County, that any person voting the Radical ticket should 
not be employed on the plantations ? 

Answer — I don't know about the County, but I heard several gentle- 
men say so. 

90. Question — To the best of your knowledge, did not these threats of 
non-employment of persons voting the Radical ticket keep many 
colored persons from voting ? 

Answer — I know of one person, I have reason to believe, it kept from 
voting ; he told me plainly that was the reason. 

97. Question — Do you know anything of an armed band of men 
traveling through the County, under the name of Bushwhackers or Ku 
Klux. 

Answer — I do not. 

98. Question — Do you know any of the circumstf'nces connected with 
the assault on a colored lady who was teaching school here ? 

Answer — I do not ; I never heard of it before. 

99. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Was it not generally rumored there 
was such a band called Ku Klux, traveling through the County ? 

Answer — Yes. 

100. Qucotion — During the time of your attendance at the Club of 
which you were a member, were there not members of the Club who 
advocated or dictated a policy of intimidation, providing they could not 
carry the Presidential election otherwise ? 



584 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. 

101. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Have you not at any time informed or 
given information to a member of the Rc})ublican party that threats of 
viohxtion had been made against him ? 

Answer — No. 

102. Question — Did you ever hear any Democratic speaker advise vio- 
lence to be used against members of the Republican party, to compel 
them to abandon their principles ? 

Answer — No. 

103. Question — What threats did you hear made by Aiken or Coth- 
ran, in public speeches made at this place, (Anderson Court House)? 

Answer — Cothran said his counsel to the people would be, if Radical 
speakers came through here, to give them two feet by six. 

104. Question — Did you say it was not the purpose of the Democratic 
party in Anderson County to intimidate Republicans from voting the Re- 
publican ticket? 

Answer — I don't think I said so. 

105. Question — Have you not heard Democrats say that they would 
not employ any one who voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — Yes. 

106. Question — How many have you heard say so? 
Answer — I don't know ; I think I have heard three say so. 

107. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — About what time was it you heard 
Cothran and Aiken make those threats ? 

Answer — Just jn-eceding the I'residential election ; they were canvass- 
ing for the election. It was previous to Randolph being killed. 

108. Question — Do you know to whom Cothran alluded when he 
said they should give Radical speakers two feet by six ? 

Answer — He said there would be other speakers here who would advo- 
cate Republican principles, and his advice was to give those speakers two 
feet by six. 

109. Question — Do "you know where Cothran and Aiken resided at 
that time? 

Answer — I think they resided at Abbeville ; they did not reside in this 
County. 

110. Question — About how many people attended this meeting you 
speak of? 

Answer— About 1,500 or 2,000. 

111. Question — From their advice to the people on that day, was it 
not dangerous for a Republican to canvass this County ? 

Answer — No. 

John C. "VVhitelield, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

112. Question — What is your name? what office do you hold, if any? 
where do you reside, and how long have you resided there ? 

Answer— John C. Whitofield ; Magistrate ; Anderson County, from the 
day of my birth. 

113. Question — During the last Presidential campaign were you a 
member of any political organization? and if so, which one ? 

Answer — None. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 585 



114. Question — What has been the general conduct of the people of 
Anderson County, as regards good order and obedience to the law, since 
the inauguration of the new State government ? 

Answer — Good. 

115. Question — Were any outrages committed in Anderson County 
during the time intervening between the organization of the new State 
government, July 12, 1868, and the late Presidential election, November 
3, 1868? and if so, please state what you know in relation thereto. 

Answer — There were. I was told that a colored man named Daniel 
Jones was shot and badly wounded, but I know nothing of the circum- 
stances. This man Jones had told me he was a Democrat, and voted the 
Democratic ticket for Representatives to the Legislature. 

116. Question — Were you present at any poll on the day of the last 
general election ? 

Answer — Yes ; Anderson Court House. 

117. Question — Did you observe any disturbances at Anderson on 
tliat day? 

Answer — No. 

118. Question — To your knowledge, was there any intimidation oi* 
nndue influence brought to bear on any voter in the County on that day? 

Answer — None that 1 know of. 

110. Question^ Was there a riot in Anderson village some time previ- 
ous to the general election ? If so, please state what you know in rela- 
tion to it. 

Answei" — I was not present on the occasion. AVritten notice was given 
me by tlie Town Council of Anderson to issue a warrant for Sanniel 
Johnson, a colored man, and other parties, for a riot, which warrants I 
issued. Tlie parties entered into bonds for their appearance at court. 
The cases have never been tried, m)r has any bill been handed out to tlie 
Glraud Jury, that I know of. 

120. Question — To what political party did Samuel Johnson and his 
accomplices belong? 

Answer — Johnson was a Radical. The politics of his accomplices 1 
don't know. The person he had the difficulty with was a Democrati(^ 
barber. 

121. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did yon attend any public meet- 
ings at wliich political speeches were made during the Presidential cam- 
paign ? 

Answer — Yes; one 

122. Question — Please state where and by whom the speech was made? 
Answer — Anderson Court House; by Genei-al Hampton, Mr. Cothran, 

of Abbeville, Mr. Thomas, of Columlna, Mr. Haskell, Mr. Burt, and D. 
Wyatt Aiken. 

123. Question — Do you recollect the subject-matter of their speeches ? 
Answer — I could not give the subject-matter of their speeches. 

124. Question — Do you not recollect one of the speakers advising vio- 
lence towards Republican speakers ? 

Answer — I think that D. Wyatt Aiken made a foolish speech ; in that 
speech he said " never to suffer this man Randolph to come in your 
midst ; if he does, give him four feet by six." This is what I remember. 
I was shocked to think a man would make use of such language in a 

74 



586 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



public speech. The speech was uot approved of by the people, except 
oue Mr. James Pegg. 

125. Question — Did he uot also make the remark there would be other 
speakers here, and advised them not to allow them to speak ? 

Answer — I only heard his allusion to Randolph. 

126. Question — Did you hear James Cothran speak? 
Answer — I did. 

127. Question — Do you recollect the subject-matter of his speech; was 
it intimidating or conciliatory in its character? 

Answer — It was not intimidating ; he made a prudent speech. 

128. Question — Did you vote at the late Presidential election ? 
Answer — I did not. 

129. Question — Please state the reason why ? 

Answer — I decline to answer ; I don't think it jiertinent. 

130. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you remember whether that fuss 
between the Democratic barber and Johnson, was on the same day D. 
Wyatt Aiken and others spoke ? 

Answer — It was not the same day ; it was previous. 
l'6l. Question — Did any person or persons come to you to take out a 
peace warrant for the Democratic barber? 
Answer — No. 

132. Question — Is it customary for you to issue warrants on written 
request ? 

Answer — It is the custom when the Town Council tries a case, they can 
either determine it themselves or turn it over to the civil authorities ; 
when it is thus turned over, an order is generally directed to a Magistrate, 
stating the nature of the offence. 

133. Question — Do you know whether that old custom of the Town 
Council is now in conformity with the law of this State ? 

Answer — I should say that it was. 

134. Question — Were these parties brought before the Council, and a 
hearing had before the request was made to you for a warrant ? 

Answer — I don't know that they were. 

135. Question — Do you know anything of the circumstances connected 
with an outrage committed on a colored school teacher in Anderson, 
named Miss Hicks? 

Answer — I don't know there was any such outrage committed ; I was 
not applied to for a warrant. 

136. Question — Do you know anything connected with an outrage 
committed on Harriet Freeman and her husband, (colored ])ersons,) by 
which they were taken out and Avhipped, prior to the general election ? 

Answer — I know a Joe Freeman, but never knew he was whipped ; I 
don't know Harriet Freeman. 

137. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Do you know anything of an 
organization called Ku Klux ? 

Answer — I do iiot. 

138. Question — During the Presidential election, was it not generally 
rumored there was such an organization in this and adjoining counties? 

Answer — I don't know. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 587 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournineiit, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 
No witnesses atteiiiling, on motion, the Committee adjourned to meet to- 
morrow at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

TUIRD CONGRKSSIONAL Dl.STRICT, 

Anderson C. IL, S. C, Aug. 20, 18G1). 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 

A quorum being present, the Committee j)roceeded to business. 

George Maxwell, (eolored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

139. Question — Are you a resident of Anderson County ? 
AnsAver — Yes. 

140. Question — How long have you resided in the County i* 
Answer — About four years, 

141. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — A barber. 

142. Question — Do you know of any threats or intimidations used, 
prior to the general election, by which any person or persons were pre- 
vented from voting as they felt disposed ? 

Answer — I do not. 

143. Question — Did you vote on the day of the general election ? 
Answer — I did not. 

144. Question — Did any one make threats to you, that prevented you 
from voting ? 

Answer — No ; I used my OAvn judgment. 

145. Question — Did you belong to any political organization prior to 
the general election ? 

Answer — Yes, to the Union League. 

146. Question — Were you in town the day D. Wyatt Aiken, Gen. 
Hampton, and others, made speeches ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I did not go out of my shop that day to liear 
them. 

147. Question — Do you know anything of a riot that occurred that 
day ? 

Answer — No ; I was not out that day at all. 

148. Question — Do you know anything of an outrage committed on a 
school teacher — Miss Mary C. Ilicks ? 

Answer — No. 



588 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



149. Questiou — Was it or was it not generally rumored, in Anderson, 
tliat any person voting the Radical ticket should not be employed, or 
have houses to live in ? 

Answer — Yes, that was the report generally. 

150. Question — Do you know of any person or persons who did not 
vote on account of those general rumors ? 

Answer — No. 

Henry Whitefield, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

151. Question — Hoav long have you lived in this County ? 
Answer — Twenty-six years. 

152. Question — In what part of the County were you living prior to 
and at the time of the late general election ? 

Answer — Eight miles from the Court House. 

153. Question — Do you know of any outrages or threats committed at 
that time ? if so, state. 

Answer — Yes ; men sold their votes for ^5 ; and men were prevented 
from going to the voting box. In the settlement where I now live, men 
started to the box, but were stopped on the road, and prevented from pro- 
ceeding further, and were afterwards turned ofi" from going to the box. 
The place where they should have voted, seventy-five votes ought to have 
been polled, and but one vote was cast. 

154. Question — What was the name of that poll ? 
Answer — Holland's Store ? 

155. Question — How do you know that seventy-five men were regis- 
tered there, and only one got to vote ? 

Answer — I know it from the votes cast for the Convention. 

156. Question — Were you ever threatened or disturbed? 
Answer — Yes ; by white and black persons. 

157. Question — State the reasons why you were disturbed? 

Answer — Nothing, on account of the election; on account only of leav- 
ing the place where I stayed. 

158. Question — Did you vote at the Presidential election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

159. Question — Did you see any disturbance at the poll ? 
Answer — Not while I was there. 

160. Question (by Mr, Bryant) — Who was it sold his vote for five dol- 
lars ? 

Answer — Warren Green, a colored man. 

161. Question — Who paid him the five dollars? 

Answer — A man named Sullivan. I saw him bringing the goods out 
of the store. 

162. Question — Did you hear the trade ? 

Answer — The man told me he got five dollars for voting the Demo- 
cratic ticket. He showed me the goods. 

163. Question — Was the man on his oath, Avhen he told you that? 
Answer — I can't say positively that he was. I only know as he gave 

it to me from his own lips. 

164. Question — Do you know when a man is on his oath ? 
Answer — Yes. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 589 



165. Question — Why, then, do you say you don't know this man was 
on his oath or not ? 

Answer— Because he gave me his answer after, he had voted, to the 
same effect ; lie told me before the election came off? 

160. Question — Do you know the nature of the obligation of an oath? 

Answer — Yes ; to speak the truth, and nothing else. 

167. Question — What were the names of those men who started to the 
poll to vote, and were not allowed to go ? 

Answer — Cunninghams. 

168. Question — Did you see them stopped ? 

Answer — No ; they reported it to me at my own house. The man 
who did vote told me that those men were stopped, and not allowed to 
go near the polls ? 

169. Question — You don't know anything about the affair yourself? 
Answer — I was not present at the place. 

James Stacy McCully, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

170. Question — Are you a resident of Anderson County ? 
Answer — Yes ; born and raised here. 

171. Question — In what portion of the County do you reside? 
Answer — In Anderson village. 

17^. Question — What is your profession or occupation? 

Answer — Farmer. 

173. Question — What was the general condition of Anderson County, 
as regards good order and obedience to the laws, during the time interven- 
ing between the inauguration of the new State government, July 12, 
1808, and the Presidential election, November 8, 1868 ? 

Answer — I know nothing about it. 

274. Question — During the period of time just referred to, were you a 
member of any political organization? and if so, which one? 

Answer — I was not. 

175. Question — What is your' age? 
Answer — About nineteen. 

176. Question — Were there any outrages committed in Anderson 
County during the few months immediately preceding the late Presiden- 
tial election ? 

Answer — I don't know anything about them, if there were. 

177. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you vote at the general elec- 
tion? 

Answer — No. 

178. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Do you know of any colored men 
being whipped in this County ? 

Answer — No. 

179. Question — Have you never heard of any being whipped immedi- 
ately preceding the general election ? 

Answei' — No. 

180. Question — Do you know of a band of men called Ku Klux or 
Regulatore ? 

Answer — No. 



590 INVESTIGATING COMBIITTEE, 



181. Question — Do you say you don't know of any outrages committed 
by either whites or blacks ? 

Answer — Not one. 

182. Question — AVhat do you call an outrage? 

'Answer — I don't know ; never went to school much. I ain't as smart 
as some people in Anderson. 

183. Question — Did you ever hear any one say they were bushwhack- 
ers? 

Answer — Yes ; Manson Jolly ; and he was a brave one. 

184. Question — Did you ever hear any one else say so? 
Answer — Not that I know of. 

185. Question — What is meant by bushwhacker? 

Answer — I don't know ; one who gets behind some tree and shoots 
some one, I guess. 

186. Question — Have yon ever been mistreated by any colored person? 
Answer — I don't thiidc I have. 

187. Question — Have you ever been mistreated by any Eepublican ? 
Answer — I don't know that I have. 

188. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You state that you frequently heard 
a man named Jolly say that he was a bushwhacker. 

Answer — I knew he was one. 

189. Question — Please tell us how you knew him to be a bushwhacker? 
Answer — I just heard he was a bushwhacker ; that is all I know. 

190. Question — Was Mr. Jolly a citizen of Anderson County? 
Answer— I believe so ; I don't know anything further. 

191. Question — How long have you been acquainted with Mr. Jolly? 
Answer — I am not acquainted with him ; I saw him several times. 

192. Question — Where were you when he told you he was a bush- 
whacker ? 

Answer — He never told me so. 

193. (Question — Please tell us who did tell you so. 
Answer — I don't remember. 

194. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Do you recollect where you were last 
August ? 

Answer — No. 

195. Question — Do you remember where you were last November ? 
Answer — No. 

196. Question — Do you remember where you were on the od of No- 
vember last? 

Answer — No. 

197. Question — Where were you on the night of the 2d of November 
last? 

Answer — I don't remember where I was. 

198. Question — Were you here the day of the general election? 
Answer — I don't think I was in the vill.-ige; if I was, it was not for 

more than an hour or two, and then I went back to the plantation. 

199. Question — Do you not recollect of seeing a difficulty in the vil- 
lage on the day of election ? 

Answer — No. 

Henry Kennedy, (colored,) sworn. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 591 



Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : / 

200. Question — Are you a citizen of Anderson County ? 
Answer — I am ; resided here twenty-nine years. 

201. Question — In what portion of the County did you reside prior to 
the general election ? 

Answer — At Anderson Court House. 

202. Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations or threats 
committed on any person or persons during the late Presidential cam- 
paign, whereby any person or persons were prevented from voting? 

Answer — I heard men say, who had men employed on their places, that 
if they voted they would turn them oft". 

203. Question — Do you know of any person or persons who did not 
vote on account of those threats ? 

AnsAver — Yes ; by their say-so I do. 

Mr. Bryant — I object to the answer as being mere hearsay. 

204. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Please give us the names of some of 
those who told you they did not vote on account of those threats. 

Answer — Rev. William Parker, Thaddeus Hollin, Newton Whitner, 
and others — all colored men. 

205. Question — Were you in town the day General Hampton and D. 
Wyatt Aiken spoke ? 

Answer — No. 

206. Question — Do you know anything of an outrage committed on 
Miss Mary Hicks, a school teacher at Anderson Court House ? 

Answer — I Avas not here tlien ; I only know what T heard. 

207. Question— Do you know of any person being whipped or shot du- 
ring the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — I only know from a colored man named Freeman, who came 
in town and reported that his family had been whipped. 

James H. McConnell, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyrc: 

208. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

209. Question — In what part of this County were you living at the 
time of the Presidential election ? 

Answer — Within three miles of Anderson Court House. 

210. Question — Do you know of any outrages, threats or intimidations 
committed for the few months immediately preceding the general elec- 
tion ? if so, state it. 

Answer — A freedman named Daniel Jones was shot in the lower part 
of this County ; I don't know the particulars. 

211. Questi(m — To your knowledge, what was the condition of political 
affairs in this County during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — There was no violence going on ; there was nothing bad. I 
was a peace officer at Anderson Court House on the day of election, and 
never saw a more quiet election in my life. 

212. Question — Were you a member of either of the political parties 
at that time^? 

Answer — No. 



592 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



213. Question — Did you ever attend any public meetings at which 
political speeches were made? if so, state when and where. 

Answer — I did attend a Democratic mass meeting in Anderson Court 
House about the fii'st of August last. 

214. Question — AVho made speeches that day ? 

Answer — Mr. Haskell, Wade Hampton, D. Wyatt Aiken, and others. 

215. Question — Did you hear the speech of Aiken ? 

Answer — Only a part of it, as I was called oft' on duty as a police of- 
ficer. 

216. Question — Did you hear D. Wyatt Aiken when ho made the re- 
mark that Randolph and others of different politics would come here to 
speak, and advise the people to give them four feet by six ? 

Answer — I did not hear that. 

217. Question — Did you hear any portion of D. Wyatt Aiken's 
speech ? if so, state it. 

Answer — He was winding up his S])eech when I got there ; he was ad- 
vising them to vote for Seymour and Blair, &c. 

218. Question — Have you ever made a statement of the facts stated on 
this examination ? 

Answer — No. 

219. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — AVere there any disturbances in the 
town tlie day these speeches were made '( 

Answer — Yes. 

220. Question — Please state the circumstances connected with it. 

Answer — It was among some drunken freedmen ; whetlier about poli- 
tics or not I don't know. There was no fighting, but I saw a pistol 
drawn. 

221. Question — Did you hear any person on that day })roclaim he was 
a Radical ? 

Answer — I don't think I did. 

222. Question — By whom was that pistol drawn? 

Answer — I don't know him ; I think he was a barber ; but he did not 
stay in the town long after that ; we took him to his room. 

223. Question — Was he a colored man or white man ? 
Answer — Colored, 

224. Question — Were there any disturl)anccs prior to that time? 
Answer — I couldn't say for certain. 

225. Quastion — Were you not called upon as an ofiicer of the peace to 
.stop a riot in the street prior to the day the speeches by Hampton and 
others were delivered ? 

Answer — I don't recollect. 

226. Question — Did you ever hear any person or persons in Anderson 
County threaten colored persons that if they voted the Radical ticket 
at the general election they would not employ them on their lands ? 

Answer — Yes, I have heard many say so. 

227. Question — Do you know of those threats keeping a good many 
poor people from voting ? 

Answer — No; I don't think there was a inan in my neighborhood ))iit 
voted. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S, C. 595 



228. Question — As an officer of the peace, do you know anything con- 
nected with an outrage committed on a Miss Hicks, a school teacher in 
this town ? 

Answer — No. 

229. Question — Do you know anything of the whipping of a colored 
man and family named Freeman in some portion of this County ? 

Answer — I do not. 

230. Question — Do you know of any person being whipped ? 
Answer — No. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

A quorum being present, the Committee i)roccedcd to business. 

S. F. McConnell sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

230- Question — Are you a citizen of Anderson County ? 

Answer — Yes. 

231. Question — How long have you resided in this County? 

Answer — Nearly all my life. 

233. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Farmer. 

234. Question — Do you hold any office in the County? 

Answer — lieon a Constable for four years for the Sheiiff and Magis- 
trate. 

235. Question — Do you know of any outrages or intimidations com- 
mitted in the County prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — No. 

236. Question — Did you belong to any political organization prior to 
the late general election ? 

Answer — No. 

237. Question — Were you in town the day General Hampicjn, D. V/y- 
att Aiken and others spoke? 

Answer — No ; I was at home, ploughing. 

23<S. (Question — Did you have any colored persons employed on your 
place ? 

Answer — No. 

239. Question — Was it not generally rumored among the planters, 
prior to the election, that they would not employ Radicals to work for 
them ? 

Answer — No. 

240. Question — You being a C'onstaMe, do you know anything of the 
whi])piug of a colored man and family, named Freeman, in this County '( 

Answer — No ; never heard of it. 

J. M. Payne, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

75 



596 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



241. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — About fifteen years. 

242. Question — In what portion of the County were you living, prior 
to and at the late general election ? 

Answer — Anderson Court House. 

243. Question — Do you or do you not know of colored persons wlio 
were abused at or near Mr. Emerson's, immediately preceding the late 
Presidential election, on account of their being Repulilicans ? 

Answer — I heard of it, but know nothing about it. 

244. Question — Did you meet any parties going to, or did you pass 
them on the day of the night that a colored man and woman were whipped, 
at or near Mr. Emerson's ? 

Answer — I never heard of any colored person being whipped there. 

245. Question — Do you know of any person, colored or white, being 
shot, immediately preceding the general election ? 

Answer — No. 

24G. Question — Do you not know that several persons swore they would 
kill Judge Hoge ? 

Answer — I never heard anybody say anything against him. 

247. Question — Did you not state to some person or persons, that Ran- 
dolph would have been killed here, had he escaped at Cokesbury ? 

Answer — If I said it, I don't recollect it. 

248. Question — Do you know whether there were any bushwhackers in 
this County during the I'residential campaign ? 

Answer — No ; if there were, I didn't see them. 

249. Question — Did you ever hear threats made, towards leading men 
of the Republican party ? 

Answer — No more than to the Democratic party ; I have heard threats 
made to both sides. 

250. Question — Who made those threats '/ 
Answer — I don't recollect ; my memory is short. 

251. Question — Please tell us the nature of those threats you heard ? 
Answer — I don't know ; I told a nigger, who was working for me, that 

if he voted against me, he might go somewhere else for work. 

252. Question — Did he vote against you ? 

Answer — I don't know ; he told me he didn't vote at all. 

253. Question — To what party do you belong ? 
Answer — Democratic party. 

At tliis point the Chairman asked Mr. Smalls if he desired to ask the 
witness any question ; the witness peremptorily refused to answer any 
<piestion propounded by Mr. Smalls. 

254. Question (by Mr. Crews) — What are your reasons for refusing to 
answer questions of Mr. Smalls, tlie colored member of the Committee ? 

Answer — IJecause I don't want to talk to him ; I will answer the ques- 
tion of any wliite man, but not a negro. 
(The witness was then dismissed.) 

Samuel Green, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

255. Question — How long have you lived in tiiis County? 
Answer — About live years. 



THIKD CONGRESSONAL DISTEICT, S. C. 597 

256. Question — Where were you living immediately preceding and at 
the late general election ? 

Answer — Anderson Court House. 

257. Question — Did you vote at the Presidential election ? 
Answer — Yes ; I wouldn't have missed it for lifty dollars. 

258. Question — What ticket did you vote? 
Answer — Radical ticket. 

259. Question — Did you issue tickets on that day ? 
Answer — Yes. 

260. Question — Did any person interfere with you while issuing those 
tickets ? 

Answer — No ; not here. 

261. Question — Wlierc did they interfere Vv-ith you? 
Answer — At Shedd's store, in the Dark Corner. 

262. Question — On the same day '( 
Answer — Yes. 

263. Question — Who interfered with you ? 

Answer — An old black man, wlio had always been IVee, came up, (I 
was standing at the polls, getting them to put in the tickets,) and asked 
me where I was from. I said, "From Anderson." He said, "I am going 
to vote." I said, " Here is a ticket." He said, " I am going to vote a 
Avhite man's ticket." I said, "I am a Radical man," and I cursed him 
a time or two, and a white man said to me, " Don't you let the Dark 
Corner hide on you down here." Mr Callett, Avho was sitting at the 
poll, knew me, and advised me to leave, as they might hurt me. I 
walked about, and got my gloves and pistol, and then, when I got a 
chance, left for home. 

2o4. Question (by Mr. Bryant)^ — ^How long did you stand around the 
poll at Shedd's store, on the day of the general election ? 

Answer — From about 10 A. M. until 2 P. M. 

265. (Question — What was your object in standing around tlie poll ? 

Answer— Because it was Mr. Cochran's rccjucst for me to stand there, 
to get as many Radical tickets put in as I could. 

1:66. Question — Well, then, you were there to prevent as many as you 
(;ould from voting the Democratic ticket ? 

AnsAver — Yes. 

267. Question — Did you succeed in preventing any person or persons 
from voting the Democratic ticket that day ? 

Answer— Yes ; a great many. 

268. Question — Hoav old Avas this old colored gentleman, Avho has al- 
Avays been free, that came up and said lie Avas going to vote the Avhite 
man's ticket ? 

AnsAver — I don't knoAV ; but he had tAvo sons old enough to vote, and 
they voted Avith him. 

269. Question— Was he a feeble, gray-haired and decrepit old man ? 
AnsAA^er — He Avas a pert man, and his head was not very gray, nor 

Avas his beard. 

270. Question — Did he come up in a boisterous and uncivil manner, 
or did he walk up civilly, Avithout insulting any one ? 

AnsAvcr — lie insulted some tAvo or three colored men, some ten steps 
from the polls. 



598 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



271. Question — Did you licai* liirn pass the iusult to those colored nicn? 
Answer — Yes. 

272. Question — What was tlie language he used to those colored men? 
Answer — He said, " Have you voted ?" A colored man said, " Yes, I 

liave voted." He said, " AVhat sort of a ticket ?" The colored man said, 
" A Radical ticket clear through." He said, " You are a damned fool 
ibr voting a Kadical ticket." The cohered man said, " I vote with the 
men who set me free." He said, " I will see you to-morrow again," and 
he came right by me to the poll. 

273. Question — Please give us the exact language you used to this old 
juan. 

AnsAver — I called him a d — d old free son of a b — h, and " God d — n 
yon, you have been free all your life, and never worked as hard as 1 
did." 

274. Question — Did you draw a pistol, or any kind of a weapon, on 
the old man ? 

Answer — No; I had my pistol in ray breeches pocket? 

275. Question — Now, please tell us what the poor old man did after 
you abused him in this manner ? 

Answer — After I got done cursing liim, he walked down the road to- 
wards Jesse McGee's, (from whom he got his ticket,) and after he talke<l 
to McGec a minute or two, I saw him })oiut his hand to me. After I 
saw this, I began to fix to come home, and turned my tickets over to an- 
other colored man ? 

276. Question — Did the poor old man vote after you got done cursing 
him ? 

Answer — ^Yes. 

277. Question — Did you curse any of the rest that day? 
Answer — No. 

278. Question — How many and what kind of pistol did you have (liat 
day? 

Answer — Only one — five barrelled, to shoot with cartridge. 

279. Question — Did you say to any person, that day, that any one who 
voted the Democratic ticket was a damned rascal ? 

Answer — Yes, I did. 

280. Question — Whom did you make these remarks to ? 

Answer — To about twenty or thirty colored men standing ai'ound. I 
said so, in order to scare them, so they wouldn't vote the Democratic 
ticket. 

281. Question — You have just stated that you told the colored peoi)le, 
on that day, that any person who voted the Democratic ticket was a 
dannied rascal. Now, sir, will you please tell us what is the difference 
between a Democrat and Republican ? 

Answer — I have heard a good deal of Democratic speaking, and, in 
their speaking, I heard them say that a nigger's bones was not fit for soap 
grease ; and then I thought a Democrat was no friend to a Radical. 

282. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You stated you cursed the old 
colored man ; did he not provoke you in some way, to cause you to curse 
him ? 

Answer — It made me mad to see him go to a white man to get his 
ticket, as I knew it was a Democratic ticket, and I had walked sixteen 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 599 



miles to give them tlie Radical ticket, as I knew the Radical ticket would 
do them as much good as me. 

283. Question — In answer to a question, you stated you were there to 
prevent as many as you could from voting tlie Democratic ticket ; did 
you mean to say, to sway, not to prevent, the colored people from voting 
the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — Yes. 

IMr. Bryant — I object to the question, as it suggests to the witness to 
change a previous answer. 

284. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Can you read or write ? 
Answer — No. 

285. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Are you a member of the Union 
League ? 

Answer — Yes ; I have a lamp at my house that belongs to them ? 

'i86. Question — Is the Union League a secret or public organization ? 

Answer — We always keep it secret. 

287- Question — What is the object of the Union League? 

Answer — The most I learned, was simply Avhen the Democrats nomi- 
iiated men, we Avould call our council together to see who we would nomi- 
nate in convention. 

288. Question — Was it the object of the Union League to intimidate 
colored persons from voting the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — Yes, sir. 

289. Question — What did the Union League determine to do to col- 
ored men who voted the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — As well as I could recollect, I don't think I heard anything 
said about that. 

290. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You have stated that the object of the 
Union League was to intimidate colored men from voting the Demo- 
cratic ticket. Do you know what intimidation means ? 

Answer — No, sir. 

29L Question — Why did you state, then, that the Union League Avas 
organized to intimidate colored men from voting the Democratic ticket, 
when you say you don't know what the word intimidation means ? 
^. Answer — Because, when Mr. Randolph made his last speech here, and 
told us to vote, he told us to take care and vote a Radical ticket. 

292. Question — Did Mr. Randolph tell you in his speech that any man 
who didn't vote the Radical ticket you must abuse him or do anythino- 
to hurt him ? 

Answer — No, sir. 

293. Question — Who organized the Union League in this County? 
Answer — Henry Kennedy and Samuel Johnson. 

294. Question — Did Samuel Johnson and Henry Kennedy tell you, 
when organizing the Union League, you must threaten men and make 
them vote the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — No, sir. 

295. Question — Who gave you instructions to intimidate men from 
voting the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — I was not told to abuse them, but to tell them to vote a Rad- 
ical ticket. 

296. Question — Do you call persuasion a threat? 



600 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. 

-297. Question — In wl\at way diil you threaten those men at the poll on 
the day of election ? 

Answer— I didn't threaten them ; I was only talking to them. 

On motion, at 6:30 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow 
at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

Third Congressional IJistuict, 
Anderson C. H., S. C, August 21, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 
Augustus Ross, (colored), sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclutyre : 

298. Question — Do you live in this County ? and if so, state how long 
you have resi<led here. 

Answer — Yes ; reside at Anderson Court House, atid have for aI>out 
five years. 

299. Question— Where were you living prior to aiid at the late general 
election ? 

Answer — At Anderson Court House. 

300. Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations or threats 
committed a few mouths prior to and at the late general election ? and if 
so, state. 

Answer — I started to Brushy Creek, on the night before election day, 
and reached there, at 9 o'clock A. M.; went to the poll next day and de- 
livered the papers and letters sent by me, and walked out into the yard to 
find some one to give the tickets to. When they looked in the papers and 
saw what it was about, some fifteen or twenty of them came out in the yard 
to me and asked what my business was there. I told them. They 
wanted to know^ where the ]xipers came from, and I told them from the 
court house. They said : " If that is all you have to do — to carry papers 
for John Cochran — get out of this yard immediately." I did not get to 
deliver the tickets at all. One of the gentlemen said there should not be 
Ra adical ticket cast at the box that day, 

301. Question — What was the naiue of the gentleman who said a 
Radical ticket should not be cast at that box ? 

Answer — I did not know him ; it was the first time I had ever been 
there. 

302. Question — Did you issue any of those tickets that day ? 
Answer — After I got about seven miles from the box, I sent back 

about half a dozen tickets by an old gentleman. 

303. Question — State why you did not remain at the poll and issue 
those tickets. 

Answer — They wouldn't allow me to stay there ; they ordered me away 
twice before I left. 

304. Question — Who ordered you away ? 



THIKD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C, 601 



Answer — I am not able to tell the names of the gentlemen jthcrc were 
more than one of them. 

305. Question — Please state the language they used in ordering you 
away. 

Answer — They said if I knew what was good for me I had better get 
away, and that it would not be to my benefit to remain, and other threats 
of a similar character. 

306. Question — About how many tickets did you have ? 
Answer — I suppose about one hundred, or one hundred and fifty. 

307. Question — About how many white men were there when these 
threats were made ? 

Answer — About fifty or sixty. 

308. Question — About how many colored men ? 
Answer — Two at that time. 

309. How long did you remain at tlie poll ? 
Answer — About half an hour. 

310. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Wagoner. 

311. Question — Who were your employers at that time? 

Answer — I was not in employment at that time ; prior to that time, I 
was with Capt. Daniels. 

312. Question — Do you know of any other threats? 
Answer — None that I could swear to, of my own knowledge. 

313. Question — ^Wliat did vou do with the tickets, after you left the 
poll ? 

Answer — Brought them back to Anderson. The election was over 
when I reached town. 

314. Question — What kind of tickets were they ? 
Answer — Republican tickets. 

Isaac Walker, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

315. Question — In what portion of the County do you reside? 
Answer — About six miles from the court house. 

316. Question — How long have you been living there? 
Answer — Since January last. 

317. Question — In what portion of the County were you living, prior 
and at the general election ? 

Answei" — In the same neighborhood, about a mile from where I now 
reside. 

318. Question — Do you know of any threats or intimidations used, 
prior to the general election, or on the day of election, whereby any col- 
ored person was prevented from voting ? 

Answer — I was threatened, that if I voted the Radical ticket I would 
lose my home. 

319. Question — Did you vote? 
Answer — Yes. 

320. Question — Did you lose your homo after you voted? 
Answer — Yes. 

321. Question — By whom was these threats made? 
Answer — ^Solomon Gary, a white man I lived with. 



602 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



322. Question — Did he tell you why you must leave his place ? 
Answer — Yes ; for voting the Radical ticket. 

o23. Question — Do you know of any other person or persons turned oft' 
for the same cause ? 

Answer — No ; not in my neighborhood. 
824. Question — What poll did you vote at ? 
Answer — At Anderson Court House. 

325. Question — Did any person attem})t to prevent you from voting? 
Answer — No ; I was here early, having come the night before. 

326. Question — Do you know of any person whipped or shot during 
the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — No ; I have heard of them. 

327. Question (by Mr, Bryant) — You stated you lost your home c[y 
voting ; please tell us how loug before the time was out for which you had 
rented the place did you have to leave? 

Answer — I had gotten the house for a year. I went to this house after 
Christmas. I left the house six days after the next Christmas. I was to 
leave the house New Year's day. I couldn't get a home, and had to pay 
fifty cents a day for every day I stayed after that time. 

328. Question — Did he turn you olF])efore your time was out? 
Answer — Yes; he shouldn't have turned me oft* until I got a home. 

329. Question — How long before your time was out ? 

Answer — No particular time was set, but I was to get a home before I 
did leave. 

330. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What were the words used when 
he told you to leave the place ? 

Answer — He told me if I voted I woidd have to leave the place. I 
answered him, I would vote if I would have to leave. He then told me 
any man who voted the Radical ticket should not stay on his place. I 
asked him then, if a man voted the Democratic ticket would he be wil- 
ling for him to stay ; he said yes. 

W- G. Smith sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

331. Question — What is your name, your age, your occupation, in 
what county and election pi'ccinct do you reside, and how long have you 
resided there ? 

Answer — W. G. Smith ; fifty-four years ; school teacher ; Anderson 
County ; Craig's precinct; resided there all my life. 

,')32. Question — AVhat was the general condition of Anderson County, 
as regards good order and obedience to the laws, during time intervening 
between the organization of the ne^v State Government, July 12, 1868, 
and the late general election, November 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — I don't know anything to the contrary but good order. 

333. Question — Did you attend the election on the 3d Novem])er, 1868? 
and if so, at what place? 

Answer — I did; at Pendleton; I was a Manager. 

334. Question — Was the election at Pendlei(Mi conducted in good order 
and in strict conformity to law. 

Answei" — To the best of my knowledge, it was. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 60^ 



335. Question — On that day did you Avitness any eflbrt to intimidate 
any person from voting as he cliose ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

336. Question— During the late Presidential campaign were you a 
member of any political organization ? if so, state what was the name of 
that organization, where you held your meetings, and what office you 
held in that organization. 

Answer — I was a member of the Democratic Club at Sandy Springs, and 
was Secretary of the Society. 

337. Question — Please state whether the Democratic Club of Sandy 
Springs had any connection with the Ku Klux Klan, or any other secret 
organization, and whether it was the object of that organization to carry 
the late Presidential election by intimidating the colored persons from 
voting. 

Answer — It had no connection with the Ku Klux Klan, or any other 
secret organization ; it was not the object of the Club to intimidate col- 
ored persons from voting ; it Avas the object of the Club to get as many 
as possible to vote for Seymour and Blair, but not by intimidation. 

338. Question ( by Mi\ Mclntyre) — What time did you open the polls 
on the day of election ? 

AnsAver — Six o'clock A M. 

339. Question — What time did you close ? 
Answer — Six P. M. 

340. Question — Did you remain at the poll during the Avhole day ? 
Answer — Yes, except about ten minutes. 

341. Question — AVho Avere the other two Managers ? 
AnsAA'er — James AVebb and J E Bellotte. 

342. Question — Were they Democrats or Republicans? 

Answer — One was called a Democrat and one Avas called a Republican ; 
the people gave them that name. 

343. Question — How many registered voters did you have on your 
books ? 

AnsAA^er — I don't recollect ; I think oa' er one hundred at Pendleton. 

344. Question — About hoAV many of those Avere colored? 
AnsAver — I can't say ; I don't recollect. 

345. Question — How many votes were cast that day ? 
AnsAA^er — I can't say ; I didn't charge ray memory. 

3-16. Question — Did any colored men vote at your poll that day ? 
AnsAver — Yes , a good many, in proportion to the votes given. 

347. Question — Do you knoAV what ticket they voted ? 
AnsAver— No ; I didn't look at their tickets. 

348. Question — :Did you see any Avhite men Avith arms at the polls? 
AnsAver — No. 

349. Question — Was there not a resolution introduced in your Club, 
proposing a general system of intimidation to prevent colored persons 
from voting at the Presidential election ? 

AnsAver — If I recollect right, something was mentioned to that effect, 
but not embodied in a resolution. 

350. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Was it not generally rumored about 
Pendleton that any person voting the Radical ticket should not have 
employment or homes r' 

76 



604 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — There was such a rumor. 

o51. Question — Do you know of any person or persons Avho did not 
vote on account of these rumors ? 
Answer — I do not. 

Alexander Campbell, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Br3'ant : 

852. Question — What is your age and occupation ; in what County 
and election precinct do you reside; and how long have you residod 
there ? 

Answer — Fifty-eight years ; farmer and distiller ; Anderson County ; 
Holland's Store ; resided there all my life. 

oS-J. Question — What has been the state of society in your part of the 
County of Anderson, as regards good order and obedience to the laws, 
since the State government was transferred to the civil authorities ? 

Answer — Immediately in my neighborhood it has been peaceable. 

354. Question — Did you attend the election on the 3d of November, 
1868? If so, at what place and in what capacity were you acting? 

Answer — I did ; at old Pendleton Court House ; I was acting as 
Deputy State Constable. 

355. Question — Please state the manner in which the election was 
conducted at Pendleton. 

Answer — The election was conducted quietly and in good order. 

356. Question — Did you witness any effort on that day to intimidate 
any colored person from voting ? 

Answer — A few white gentlemen said to the freedmen that they had 
better mind hoY\r they voted, or they wouldn't get homes for another year. 
My reply was that it was a free thing, and that I w'as sent there to see 
there was order, and that the freedmen voted, and they should vote. 

357. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — To the best of your knowledge, was 
there not a general system of threats practiced throughout this County 
dui-lug the late Presidential campaign towards all persons professing Re- 
publican views ? 

Answer — I most think tliere were, from report. I know that many 
colored persons did not vote for fear of insulting their employers by so 
doing, and I know poor white men who ditl not vote for the same rea- 
son. 

358. Question — Do you know of any Republicans who had to resort to 
unusual measures to preserve their lives dnring the Presidential cam- 
paign ? 

Answer — Not within my own knowledge. 

359. Question — Were you here the day Associate Justice Iloge spoke ? 
Answer — Yes ; to preserve order. Some young men throwed out 

some insulting remarks to him, while he was speaking. 

360. Question — To the best of your recollection, what Avere the words 
used in those threats ? 

Answer — They called him carpet-bagger, and other expressions I don't 
recollect now. 

H61. Question — Was the language used towards Mr. Iloge very in- 
sulting ? 

Answer — I should take it so. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 605 



362. Question — Were you here the day Hampton, D. Wyatt Aiken 
and others spoke ? 

Answer — No. 

363. Question — Did you belong to either of the political parties during 
the late Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — No ; I believed in the Union, and still believe in it. 

361. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You have stated, in answer to a ques- 
tion, that many colored persons could not vote without insulting their em- 
ployers ; will you please state how you came in possession of such infor- 
mation ? 

Answer — I was traveling around the precincts of the County, to ge t 
deputies to attend on the day of election, and the colored people asked 
me, Yv'herever I would go, how they would do. I told them to go forward 
to the polls, and vote as they wished to ; and they said they were fearful 
to do that, as they couldn't vote with their employers, and if they didn't 
do it, they would not have homes another year, and they thought they 
had better not vote. I tried to encourage them to vote. 

o6o. Question — Well, then, you mean to say, do you, that the statement 
which you have made, in regard to these colored persons not being able 
to vote without insulting their employers, is simply hearsay, and not fronr 
your own knowledge ? 

Answer — It was in conversation with them. I was not present v.hcn 
they voted 

366. Q,uestion — Now, do you know that a single voter in Anderson 
County was kept from voting on the 3d day of November, 186S, on 
account of fear ? 

Answer — No ; I can't swear positively. 

367 Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you threatened during tha 
time you were acting as Deputy Constable ? 

Answer — ^Not personally. 

368 Question (by INIr. Crews) — -Did you ever hear any of the land- 
holders threaten to turn off the freedmen if they voted the Republican 
ticket ? 

Answer — No. 

369. Question — Do you not know, from conversation you had w^ith 
colored men, that they did not vote the Republican ticket on account of 
threats made against them ? 

Mr. Bryant — I object to the question, from the fact that a man cannot 
know from statements made by others. 

Answer — I know there were some w'ho didn't vote at all, because the}'' 
couldn't get to vote as they wanted. 

370. Question (by Mr. Crews) — How do you know tliey did not vote? 
Answer — They have told me. since the election, that they did not, and 

from the return of the poll list I saw they had not voted. 

371. Question (by JNIr. Bryant) — You have stated that you know that 
some colored persons did not vote because they couldn't get to vote as 
they wanted. You have also stated that you knew this from what they 
told you themselves, and from your inspection of the poll list. Now, did 
you inspect the poll list of every precinct in Anderson County, to see 
whether those persons of whom you speak did or did not vote ? 

Answei- — No, I did not ; I inspected the poll list of Brown's muster 
ground, (as the INIanager happened to be at my house,) and, in looking 



606 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



over, I saw the names of those persons who were talking to me were not 
on the list as voting. 

372. Question — Now, was it not possible that those persons of whom 
you speak could have gone to another poll and voted without your 
knowledge, or were your eyes upon them during the entire day of the 
election ? 

Answer — I was in their company the day before the day of election, 
but not on election day, but a few days afterwards. They might have 
gone to another box and voted, but they should have voted at the box 
where registered as, to have voted at any other j^lace where not registered, 
they would have had to make an affidavit. 

373 Question — You have stated that these persons did not vote 
because they could not get to vote as they Avanted. Now, j)lease state 
how you know this was the reason they did not vote. 

Answer — I know so from what they told me. 

374. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — From what you have seen and 
heard, was it safe for a Republican speaker to go through this County 
and canvass it in the interest of Grant and Colfax during the Presiden- 
tial campaign? 

Answer — I didn't think it was very safe in some neighborhoods. 

Mr. Bryant — I object to the answer, as he only states what bethinks. 

James McLeskey, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

375. Question — Are you a citizen of Anderson County ? 
Answer — Yes ; born and raised in it. 

376. Question — Do you know of any intimidation or outrages com- 
mitted in the County, prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — -Not to my personal knowledge. 

377. Question — Did you belong to any 2:)olitical organization, prior to 
the general election ? 

Answer — No ; nor never expect to. 

378. Question — Do you know of any person or persons who have been 
whipped or abused in any manner in this County, j)rior to the general 
election ? 

Answer — No. 

379. Question — Do you know anything about a body of armed men 
traveling through the country at night, called Bushwliackers, Ku Klux 
or Regulators '( 

Answer — No; I have heard of them. 

380. Question — What precinct did you vote at ? 

Answer — Centreville. I was Chairman of the Board of Registration 
and Election Managers — that election passed oft* smooth, with one excep- 
tion. One man said that he had voted the ticket he did not want to ; 
he came to me and asked me if he had voted the Democratic ticket. I 
told him yes. He said he was deceived in so doing ? 

381. Question — About how many voters are there at that precinct? 
Answer — They generally vote about eighty. 

382. Question — About how many of them were colored? 
Answer — I suppose about two-fifths. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 607 



383. Question— Do you recollect about liow many colored persons 
voted at that poll ? 

Answer — About twenty, I think. I know a good many in my neigh- 
borhood who didn't go at all. 

384. Question — Was it not generally rumored about your precinct, 
prior to the general election, that if the colored people voted the Radical 
ticket they should not be employed, or have homes ? 

Answer— Yes. 

385. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You stated there were some colored 
men in your neighborhood that did not vote ; please state if you know 
the reason why they did not vote ? 

Answer — I don't know ; but I know there was a dozen white Repub- 
licans, and many colored, in my neighborhood, who did not go to vote. 

886. Question — -Was there not a general system of threats towards per- 
sons professing Republican sentiments in your neighborhood, during the 
Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — I can't say there was. 

387. Question — Did any person or persons vote at your box, at the 
general election, who were not citizens of this County ? 

Answer — No 

388. Question — How far is Centreville poll from the courthouse? 
Answer — About eight miles- 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet Monday next 
at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Anderson C. H., S. C, August 23, 1869. 

Pux'suant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M, 

A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

Ebenezer Smith, sworn 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 
389. Question — How long have you lived in this County ';' 
Answer — Born and raised in the County. • 

390 Question — In what part of the County were you living prior to 
and at the late general election ? 

Answer — About six miles west of the court house. 

391. Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations or threats 
committed at that time ? 

Answer — No. I was an officer of the peace at the general election at 
Orrville ; I was there all day. 

392. Question — Did you witness any disturbance on that day ? 
Answer — No ; it was quiet and peaceable. 

393. Question — Did you vote ? 



608 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. I registered at Anderson, and the Managers told me it 
was illegal to vote at Orrville, where I was stationed, so I lost the op- 
portunity of voting. 

894. Question — Were you here on the day that Wade Hampton, D. 
Wyatt Aiken, and others, spoke at the depot ? 

Answer — Yes, part of the time ; only stayed there a little wdiile. 

395. Question — Did you hear any of the remarks of D. Wyatt 
Aiken ? 

Answer — No ; I am hard of hearing, and was unwell, and did not hear 
any of the speaking. 

39G. Question — From your knowledge, what was the condition of po- 
litical affairs a few montlis preceding the general election ? 

Answer — I was not about much, and I don't take a newspaper ; the 
talk was that the people were going to vote against Grant, and for Sey- 
mour. 

397. Question — Did you belong to any political organization at that 
time ? 

Answer — No. 

898. Question — Please state if the colored people generally voted at 
Orrville on the day of the general election. 

Answer — Yes ; no one prevented them from voting. 

399. Question (by Mr. Bryajit) — What was the condition of society in 
Anderson County, so far as your knowledge extended, during the six 
mouths immediately preceding the late general election ? 

Answer — It all appeared to be quiet and peaceable. 

400 Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — AVhere were you dui'ing the six 
months preceding the late general election ? 

Answer — Was living between six or seven miles from here ; I can\e to 
the court house about once a month. 

401. Question — Did your knowledge in reg;ard to the condition of so- 
ciety extend beyond your immediate neighborhood ? 

Answer — No. 

W. C. Brown, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant: 

402. Qustion — What is your name, age and occupation ? in what State, 
County and election precinct do you reside ? and how long have you re- 
sided there ? 

Answer — W. ( !. Brown ; 39 years ; physician ; South Carolina ; An- 
derson County ; Belton })recinct ; resided there about 17 years. 

403. Question — What was the condition of society in Anderson County, 
so far as your knowledge extended, during the six months immediately 
preceding the general election ? 

Answer — Very quiet indeed ; no outrages committed that I know of ; 
both black and white conducted themselves well. 

404. Question — W^cre you a member of any political organization du- 
ring the late Presidential election ? and if so, state the name of that 
organization. 

Answer — Yes ; President of the Belton Democratic Club. 

405. Question — Did the Democratic Club at Belton have any connec- 
tion with the Ku Klux Klan, or any other secret organization, or was it 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, g. C. 609 



the object of that Club to cany the Lite general election by intimidating 
the colored persons from voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — They had no connection with tlie Ku Klux Klan, or any 
other secret organization ; I don't think it was the object of the Club to 
carry the election by intinjidating colored persons. 

4U6. Question— Were you at Belton on the od of November, 1868 ? if 
so, please state the manner in which the election was conducted, and 
whether you witnessed any elibrts to prevent any person from voting as 
he chose. 

Answer — I was there. The election was opened publicly, aud no ef- 
fort made to prevent eitlier white or black from voting as they saw proper. 
I remained there a majority of the day, aud never saw an election con- 
ducted more impartially. 

417. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Did or did not the Club, of which you 
were President, appoint a Committee to be at the polls on the day of the 
general election, and obtain the names of those voting the Radical 
ticket ? 

Answer — That is my recollection. 

418. Question — Please tell us the object of taking the names of those 
voting the Radical ticket? 

Answer — The intention was to give the Democratic black ones the 
preference in hiring the next year, or renting to them. 

419. Question — Do you know about the number of registered votoi-s at 
that precinct ? 

Answer — I don't know, positively. 

420. Question — Do you know whether many of the colored people 
voted the Democratic ticket that day ? 

Answer — Only a very few, I think, voted tlic Democratic ticket. 

411. Question — Did or did not the Club pass a resolution some time 
prior to tiie general election, that Radicals should not be employed, or 
have homes to live in ? 

Answer — We passed a resolution that we would give the Democrats, 
either black or white, the preference in employment of all kinds for the 
next year. 

412. Question — Was it not the object of the Club in passing that reso- 
lution more as a threat than anything else ? 

Answer — I don't think it was as a threat, but I think the majority of the 
Club carried out the resolution in hiring for the present year. I carried 
it out myself. 

418. Question — Was the bar-room at Belton closed on the day of elec- 
tion? 

Answer — I think it w'as. I don't recollect of seeing a drunken man on 
the ground that day. 

414 Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — You stated, in answer to a question, 
that as far as your knowledge extended the condition of society in An- 
derson County was peaceable and quiet ; did your knowledge extend any 
further than the immediate neighborhood of Belton ? 

Answer — Yes ; I practiced medicine over a scope of country ten miles 
square, and it w-as quiet all over that section. People seemed to be fear- 
ful there would be outbreaks, but none occui-red at all. 

415. Question — State, as far as you know, whether there was any- 



610 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



thing said in your Club ^Yhich tended to interfere with the rights of Re- 
publicans ? 

Answer — The resolution passed to give preference in employment to 
Democrats was as far as we went. 

416. Question — To the best of your knowledge, did the Republicans at 
Belton have a fair opportunity to express their political sentiments 
opeuly, without fear or interruption, during the two months preceding the 
general election ? 

Answer — They did, to the best of my knowledge. 

Welboru Duckworth, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

417. Question — What is your name, age, occupation? where do you 
reside ? and how long have you resided there ? 

Welborn Duckworth; 61 years; farmer; near Orrville precinct, Ander- 
son County, S. C, and resided there all my life. 

418. Question — What was the condition of society in Anderson County, 
so far as your knowledge extended, during the six months })receding the 
late Presidential election, November 3, lb68 r' 

Answer — I know of no disturbances. 

419. Question — Were you a Manager of Election on the od of No- 
vember, 1868 ? and, if so, please state at what place, and how the elec- 
tion was conducted. 

Answer — I was at Orrville precinct. The election was opened at 6 
A. M., and there was good order and quiet all the time; there was a 
Constable there to preserve peace. 

420. Question — Did you witness any effort that day to prevent any 
person from voting as he chose ? , 

Answer — I did not. 

421. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you refer to the Registration 
Books for the name of the voter ? 

Answer — Yes. We had a Clerk ; two wrote, and one referred to the 
Book, and one received ballots. 

422. Question — How many ballot-boxes did you have ? 
Answer — Two. 

423. Question — Did you canvass the votes that evening, or next 
day ? 

Answer — The same evening. 

424. Question — Did you canvass them openly or privately ? 

Answer — To the best of my recollection, we canvassed the votes pub- 
licly the same evening ; and the next day we met at my house, and 
counted again, and made out our report. 

425. Question — How many votes were cast ? 
Answer — To the best of my recollection, about 50. 

426. How many of them were Republican tickets ? 
Answer — I think but six ; the balance Democratic. 

427. Question — To the best of your recollection, hoAV many colored 
men voted at your poll on the 3d of November, 1868 ? 

Answer — About ten ; six voted the Radical, and the others Demo- 
cratic. 



THIRD CONGKE88IONAL DKISTICT, S. C. 611 



429. Q.uestion — How do you know that those six Republican votes 
were cast by colored men ? 

Answer — It is only a guess- 

430. Question — Did any colored men desire to vote, whose names could 
not be found by you on the Registration Book ? 

Answer — There might, and there might not, have been ; I forget. I 
had charge of the Books, and referred to the names 

431. Question — How many registered voters did you have on your 
books ? 

Answer — From 170 to 200. 

432. Question — Plow many of the registered voters were colored ? 
Answer — I cannot tell you ; I should say there were not more than 

one-four LJi. 

433. Question — How many were white ? 
Answer — I cannot tell positively. 

434. Q.uestion — During the Presidential campaign, did you belong to 
either of the political parties ? 

Answer — Yes ; to the Democratic party. 

435. Question— What was the name of the Club you belonged to ? 
Answer — The Piercetown Club. 

43f). Question — Were you an officer of that Cluli ? 

Answer — Vice-President. 

437. Question — Were your meetings public ? 

Answer — Yes 

43s Question — Please state if there was a resolution introduced in 
your Club, the subject-matter of which was the non-employment of any 
person or persons vv'ho voted the Republican ticket? 

Answer — No ; in the Constitution, I think, there was some touch at it 
in this way — that the Democrats should have the preference as laborers. 

439 Question— Did you ever attend any public meetings at which 
political .speeches were made? 

Answer — Yes ; at the Club. 

440. Question — Please state the character of those speeches ? 

Answer — I can't ; no more than it was to unite the people on the 
Democratic side. 

411. Question — Did you attend the meeting at which Wade Hamp- 
ton, D. V/yatt Aiken, and others, spoke? 

Answer — Yes ; I heard part of Hampton's speech. 

On motion, at 1 P. M , the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 
No witnesses being in attendance, the Committee adjourned, to meet 
to morrow at 9 A. M. 



77 



612 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Anderson C. H., S. C, August 24, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 

A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

James Orr, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

4+2. Question — ^Vhat is your name, age, occupation ; Avhere do you 
reside, and liow long have you resided there ? 

Answer — James Orr; forty-eight years ; farmer; in Anderson County, 
in Greenwood election precinct, and resided there all my life. 

443. Question — What was the general condition of society in Ander- 
son County, so far as your knowledge extended, during the six mouths 
which immediately preceded the late general election ? 

Answer — Good, and no disturbances whatever. 

444. Question — During the last Presidential campaign were you a 
member of any political organization ? if so, what was the name of the 
organization, and wdiat position did you hold therein ? 

Ansv/er — I Avas not a member. 

445. Question — Did you attend the election on the third of Novem- 
ber, 186VV if so, please state at what place, and how the election was 
conducted ? 

Answer — I attended the election at Greenwood ; I Avas a Manager ; 
the polls Avere opened at 6 A. M ; Ave registered names three days previ- 
ously ; Ave conducted the election as other elections ; all those of proper 
age, and registered, we took their votes Avithout question or challenge in 
any form. 

446. Question — On the day of the election at GrceuAvood did you Avit- 
ness any effort to prevent any one from voting as he chose ? 

Answer — No ; every one seemed to guard against interfering. I don't 
think a ticket Avas opened when it Avas put in the box by the Managers. 

447. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What Avas the duty allotted to you 
as Manager of the election on that day? 

Answer — I Avrote the names. 

448. Question — Did you canvass the votes that evening, or the next 
day ? if so, openly or privately ? 

AnsAver — That evening, privately ; it was so late there Avere no persons 
there 

449. Question — What was the number of votes cast ? 
AnsAver — I don't remember. 

450- Question — Did you not assist in canvassing the votes ? 
Answer — Yes; I think one hundred and eighty, or tAVO hundred; I 
didn't charge my mind. 

451. Question — About how many of those votes were Democratic ? 
AnsAver — I don't recollect. 

452. Question — About hoAV many colored men voted on that day ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 613 



Answer — I cannot tell ; several voted ; probably some voted I didn't 
know whether they were white or l)lack ; my back was to the voters. 

453. Question — In canvassing the votes, which one of the Managers 
counted ? 

Answer — I think Mr. John Burdin. 

454. Question — Who wrote the report ? 
Answer — Mr. Russell, a Clerk. 

Charles Morris, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

455. Question — "What is your name ? 
Answer — Charles Morris. 

456. Question — How long have you lived in Anderson County ? 
Answer — All my life ; fifty years. 

457. Question — In what part of the County do you reside ? 
Answer — About nine miles from the court house, near Beltou. 

458. Question — At v>diat precinct do you vote? 
Answer — At Belton. 

459. Question — -Do you know of any intimidations, or threats of vio- 
lence of any kind, committed on any person or persons preceding the 
late general election ? 

Answer — I Avas myself threatened of being discharged from my home, 
and also was discharged. 

460. Question — Do you know of any other person being threatened ? 
Answer — An old gentleman living near me was knocked down and 

beaten on the night of the election. 

461. Question — Do you know any of the persons that beat the old 
man on the n ght of the election? 

Answer — I don't know. 

462. Question — Did you see the parties beat him ? 

Answei- — No ; I saw the old gentleman, and the places where they 
knocked him. 

463. Question — Do you know of any other person or persons threat- 
ened or beaten ? 

Answer — An old gentleman, named Dennis Watkins, was threat- 
ened and discharged from his home. 

464. Question — Did you hear these parties make the threats ? 
Answer — No; he told me so himself; he came to me to help him hunt 

a home ; he only had five days to get away. 

465. Question — Did you succeed in finding him a home? 
Answer — I did not, because I was busy hunting one myself, 

466. Question — Did you vote on the day of election? 

Answei' — Yes, and gave out tickets that day; and because I was giving 
out the tickets was the reason I had such a hard time to get a home. I 
had to go into an old field and build a house, and I am living there yet. 

467. Question— Was there any disturbance at the poll on the day of 
election ? 

Answer — No; no person was interrupted. I sta3'ed there from 6 A. M 
until 6 P. M. 

468. Question — Could the colored peo})le come to you and take their 
tickets and go vote without interruption ? 



614 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes ; all to whom I gave tickets put them in. 

4*>9. Question — Did any bushwhackers or Ku Klux come through your 
neighborhood at night and disturb any person or persons, on account of 
their politics, prior to the general election ? 

Answer ; Yes ; Dennis Watkins' boys were shot at. 

470. Q,uestion — Were they shot at in the night or day time ? 
Answer — About 1 1 o'clock at night. 

471. Question — Did you see any of those parties who shot at them? 
Answer — No. 

472. Question — Please tell us how you know they were Ku Klux or 
bushwhackers ? 

Answer — They were dressed in white. 

473. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — What ticket did you vote on the day 
of election? 

Answer — Radical ticket ; Grant and Colfax. 

474. Question — AVhat kind of tickets were those you Avere handing out 
on the day of election ? 

Answer — Radical. 

475. Question — How do you know Dennis Watkins' boys were shot at ? 
Answer — I saw the boys running ; heard the report of the gun. 

William Telford sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

476. Question — What is your name, age, occupation, where do you re- 
side, and how long have you been there ? 

Answer — William Telford, (J^ years, farmer, live betv/een Belton and 
Calhoun, and resided there all my life. I registered at Belton, but it 
being diiiicult to obtain Managers, I was assigned as a IManager of Elec- 
tion at Calhoun. 

477. Question — What was the condition of society in your part of the 
C'ounty during the six months immediately preceding the late genei'al 
election ? 

Answer — Quiet. 

478. Question — Please state how the election was conducted at Cal- 
houn's, on the 3d of November, 1868 ? 

Answer — As quiet as any election I ever saw in my life. The poll was 
held in a school house. 

471). Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What was the political condition 
of atrairs in your vicinity for the few months immediately preceding the 
late general election ? 

Answer — So far as I know, just as cjuiet as at this time. 

4-^0. Q.uestion — Do you know how many registered names you had on 
your books ? 

Answer — I cannot tell you now ; ray memory is short. 

48). Question — Do you know how many votes were cast that day? 

Answer — About one hundred and sixty-one, or one hundred and sixty- 
two. 

482. Question — Do you know how many of those were Democratic 
votes ? 

Answer — I think the Democrats had a few the advantage. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 615 



48^. Question — What duty was allotted to you that day as a Man- 
ager ? 

Answer — I was one of the clerks ; I kept a list of the voters. 

484. Question — Did you belong to any political organization prior to 
the election ? 

Answer — Yes; to the Belton Democratic Club. I only attended three 
times. 

485. Question — Was any resolution offered, the subject-matter of 
which was the non-employment of Radicals ? 

Answer — A motion was made to give preference in employment to 
Democrats. 

H. O. King, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

486. Question — What is your name, age, occupation? where do you re- 
side, and how long have you resided there ? 

Answer — H. O. King, 23 years, farmer, near Belton all my life. 

487- Question— What was the general condition of affairs in Ander- 
son County, so far as your knowledge extended, as regards good order and 
obedience to the laws for the six months which immediately preceded the 
late general election ? 

Answer — Good order and quiet. 

488. Question — During the Presidential campaign were you a member 
of any political organization ? and, if so, what was tlie name of tliat or- 
ganization, and where it held its meetings ? 

Answer — I was a member of the Democratic Club at Belton. 

489. Question — State whether the Democratic Club at Belton was a 
secret or public organization, and whether' it was the object of that Club 
to intimidate colored persons from voting as they chose. 

Answer — It was a public organization ; it was not their intention to 
intimidate colored persons from voting as they (^hose 

490. Question — Were you a Manager of Election in any precinct on 
the 3d of November, 1868 ? if so, please state at what place, and how 
the election was conducted. 

Answer — I was a Manager at Belton precinct, and the election Avas 
conducted peaceably and tpiietly. Every voter came up, deposited liis vote, 
and retired from the poll. 

491. Q,uestion ())y Mr. Bmalls) — Was not a resolution introduced in 
your Club, the subject-matter of which was tlie non-employment of Rad- 
icals ? 

Answer — I attended but two meetings ; I don't know. 

492. Question — Was it not generally rumored that the Club had j)asscd 
such resolutions ? 

Answer — It was generally rumored the Club had passed a resolution 
that they would give no employment to those voting the Radical 
ticket. 

493. Question — Was it not the intention of the Democratic Club, by 
the passage of these resolutions, to cause those who had no homes to vote 
their ticket ? 

Answer — I can't say that it was so. 

494. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you canvass the votes imme- 
diately after closing the poll on the day of the general election ? 



616 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes. 

495. Question — About how many votes were cast ? 
Answer — A little over 200. 

496. Question — How many of those votes were Democratic and how 
many Republican ? 

Answer — Two-thirds of them were Democrats. 

497. Question — About how many names did you have registered ? 
Answer — I think about 250 or 300 ; I am not positive ; I never counted 

them, 

498. Question — What proportion of those were white and colored ? 
Answer — I can't say exactly ; I suppose a majority were white. 

499. Question — Did you refer to the books for every one projiosing to 
vote ? 

Answer — Yes ; to every case we didn't know positively ; Ave didn't al- 
low any one to vote who was not registered there. 

500. Question — To the best of your knowledge, how many colored 
persons voted at your poll on that day? 

Answer— I should say between fifty and eighty ; but I am not posi- 
tive. 

501. Question — About how many colored persons' votes were re- 
jected ? 

Answer — None ; only those not registered on the books ; and they were 
but few. There were more whites than colored persons wlio came for- 
ward to vote who were not registered. 

Luke Haynie sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

502. Question — ^What is your name, age, occupation, where do you re- 
side, and how long have you resided there ? 

Answer — Luke Haynie ; seventy-seven years ; farmer ; eight miles south 
from Court House, Craytonville precinct, Anderson County ; lived there 
all my life. 

503. Question — Did you attend the election on the 3d of November, 
1868 ? if so, state at Avhat place and in what capacity you were acting. 

Answer — I did, at Craytonville precinct, as a peace officer. 

504. Question — Please state how the election was conducted. 
Answer — With good order and peaceable. Colored men voted as they 

pleased, and no interference. 

505. (^Aiestion (by Mr. INIcIntyre) — Did you belong to either of the 
political parties during the Presidential can\paign ? 

Answer — Yes ; I was a Democrat. 

506. Question — (by Mr. Smalls) — Yon stated you were a member of the 
Democratic Club. 

Answer — Yes. 

507. Question — Did that Club pass a resolution, the subject-matter of 
which was, the non-employment of any person or persons voting the Radi- 
cal ticket? 

Answer — If there was anything of that sort, I don't know anything 
about it 

508. Question — Was it not generally rumored around your precinct 



THIRD CONGRKSSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 617 



that any person or persons voting the Kadical ticket, should not have 
any emph)yment or houses to live in ? 
Answer — Not that I know of. 

509. Question — Do you, then, know the number of voters in your pre- 
ciuct ? 

Answer — Something over one hundred. 

510. Question — Do you know how many voted ? 
Answer — -It was not quite up to one hundred. 

511. Question — Do you know what candidate had the majority? 
Answer — The Democratic candidate. 

512. Question — Do you know about what majority ? 
Answer — No. 

513. Question — Do you know what party has the majority on the 
registration books ? 

Answer — No. 

514. Question — Were you at the poll all day, November 3, 1868? 
Answ^er — Yes; until it closed. 

615. Question — Was there not men at the poll, taking the names of 
those voting the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — I have no idea such a thing Avas done. 

516 Question (by JNIr. Mclutyre) — You stated the Democrats had the 
majority at that poll ; how did you know that? 

Answer — From report of the Managers and the peo})le. There were a 
few Radicals in the neighl)orhood that didn't vote. 

517. Question — You stated that there were some Radicals in your 
neighborhood who did not vote. How do you know they did not V(jtc ? 

Answer — I was present and saw the Managers invite them, but they 
"would not do so. 

518. Question — How do you know tliey were Radicals ? 

Answer — They were black men, and generally looked upon as 
Radicals. 

T. J. Roberts, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

519. Question — Do you live in this County? and if so, state where and 
how long you have lived there, your age and profession? 

Answer — Yes ; I live near Craytonville ; for about seven years ; fifly 
years of age and a farmer. 

520. Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations or threats, 
in your neighborhood, for the few months preceding the late general 
election ? 

Answer — No. 

521. Question — Were you a Manager of election, 3d November, 1868? 
Answer — Yes ; I was Chairman of the Board of Managers. 

522. Question — Did you canvass the votes the same evening of the 
election ? and if so, state how many were cast. 

Answer — Yes ; I don't remember the total number, but there were only 
two Radical votes cast. 

523. Question — About how many colored voters did you have regis- 
tered ? 

Answer — I can't say. 



618 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

524. Question — Did you belong to either of the political organizations 
at that time ? 

Answer — I did not belong to any Club, but I was a Democrat, and 
voted the Democratic ticket ; I was opposed to the manner in which they 
conducted the Club. 

525. Question— In what manner did they conduct the Club ? 
Answer — I don't know; I never attended the Club. 

5'i6. Q.ucstion — You have stated you were opposed to the manner they 
conducted the Club, and you again state you never attended the Club ; 
how do you know how they conducted the Club ? 

Answer — From hearsay ; I mean their proceedings, from what I had 
heard ; such as in regard to their resolutions, &c. 

On motion, at 2 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow, 
at 9 AM. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Anderson C. H., S. C, Aug. 25, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournmoit, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 

A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

J. T. Hanks, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

527. Question — State your name, age, occupation, where you reside, 
and how long you have resided there? 

Answer — J. T. Hanks, 45 years, farmer, in Anderson County, Cray- 
to3iville precinct, resided there all my life. 

628. Question — Did you attend the general election, on third Novem- 
ber, 1868? and if so, state where, and in what capacity you were acting. 

Answer — I did, as a Manager of election, at Craytonville. 

529. Question — Was the election conducted in strict conformity to law ; 
was there any disturbance of the public peace at or near the poll ; and 
did you witness any efibrt to intimidate any person, by threats or violence, 
from voting as he desired ? 

Answer — It was conducted in conformity to law, as near as I know ; I 
did not witness or hear of any disturbance at or near the poll ; I did 
did not witness any eflbrt to intimidate any person from voting as he de- 
sired. 

530. Question — Did you belong to any political organization during 
the late Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — No. 

531. Question — Do you know any thing of any armed band of men 
riding over diflerent parts of this County during the few months immedi- 
ately preceding the last general election, shooting and maltreating per- 
sons, breaking into the houses of colored men, beating men, Avomen and 
children, destroying furniture and clothing, and committing many other 
acts of violence and outrage, forcing colored men to SAvear they would be 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 619 



Democrats, and threatning them with death if they went to the polls and 
voted the Republican ticket? 

Answer — No. I knew nothing about it — only heard of it. 

632. Question — Did it come to your knowledge that any legal voter of 
Anderson County was, by violence or any other unfair or illegal means, 
kept from going to the poll on third November, 1868, and voting as he 
desired ? 

Answer — No. 

533. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Was it not g nerally rumored in 
your section of the country that there was such a band of men as the 
kn Klux ? 

Answer — Yes. 

534. Question — Did you canvass the votes the same evening of the 
election, and if so, state whether in public or private? 

Answer — Yes, in public. 

535. Question — About how many votes were cast that day? 
Answer — I do not recollect. About fifty or sixty. 

536. Question — To the best of your recollection, how many of these 
were Democratic ? 

Answer — I don't recollect. I think about thirty were Republican ; 
but of this I am not certain. 

537. Question — To the best of your knowdedge, how' many names were 
registered ? 

Answer— I don't recollect. There were as many votes as names regis- 
tered. It came out even. 

o38. Question — Did you reject any persons' votes who presented them- 
selves to vote ? 

Answ'er— None wdio were registei'ed. 

539. Question — What was the duty assigned to you as Manager that 
day? 

Answer— Receiving the tickets. 

540. Question — Did you ever attend any meetings of the Democratic 
Clubs during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — I was at one or two, but had nothing to do with them. 

541. Question — From what you have heard from general rumor of 
Ku Klux in your section of the country, would it have been safe for a 
Republican to have openly expressed his views ? 

Answer — I don't know whether it would have or not. From my 
neighbors around, I don't think it would have been dangerous ; but from 
parties going about, I don't know what they would do. 

542. Question (by IMr. Smalls) — Did you see any person or persons 
that were outraged by an unknown })arty at night, prior to the election? 

Answer — No. Nothing of that sort happened in my neighborhood. It 
is two-and-a-half miles to Emerson, where I heard it occurred. 

543. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You have stated that it was gene- 
rally rumored through your part of the County that there was a band of 
Ku Klux going through the country. Now, from the best of your know- 
ledge and information, was there any real foundation for such rumor ? 

Answer — From what I heard, it looked like there Avas. 

544. Question — Did you ever sec a Ku Klux? 
Answer — No. 



G20 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



545. Question — Did you see aii}^ person that told you they had ever 
seen one ? 

Answer — I never did. 

546. Question — Did you ever see anybody that said that they had seen 
a man that said he had seen the Ku Klux ? 

Mr. Smalls — I object to the question, as the examiner is asking for 
hearsay. 

Answer — I don't recollect that I ever did ; but I have seen some per- 
sons Avho said they had seen strange men going about. 

547. Question — Did those persons, whom you say told you they saw 
strange men going about, tell you those strange men were Ku Klux ? 

Answer — jSTo. 

548. Question — Did they tell you those strange men were committing 
depredations ? 

Answer — No. 

Mr. Bryant— I object to the question, as being mere hearsay. 
549 Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Was it not customary for the people 
of your section of Anderson County to see strange men passing through ? 
Answer — I don't know that it was. 
Ezekiel Hall, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

550. Question— State your name, age and occupation ; where you re- 
side, and how long you have resided there. 

Answer — Ezekiel Hall; 76 years ; farmer; near Milford election box, 
and resided there oS years. 

551. Question — What was the disposition, relative to the observance of 
law and the maintenance of the public peace, manifested in your portion 
of the County during the few months next preceding the last Presiden- 
tial election ? 

Answer — I can't tell mucli ; I don't go from home much ; have not 
been five miles from iiome in twelve inonths ; around my section, how- 
ever, it has been quiet and peaceable. 

552. Question — Were you at the general election, November 8, 1868? 
if so, at wliat place and in what capacity were you acting ? 

Answer — I don't know. 

553. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were you a Manager of Election, 
and at what time ? 

Answer — I have been most all the time. 

554 Question — How many boxes did you have at that election ? 

Answer — Some three or four ; the same as at common elections. 

555. Question — Did you belong to any political party during the Presi- 
dential campaign ? 

Answer — No. 

556. Question — Was it not generally rumored that there was a great 
deal of depredation committed in Anderson Count}' by a band of men 
called the Ku Klux ? 

Answer — Yes. 

Matthew Heldmann, sw^orn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

557. Question — State your name, ago, occupation, where you reside, 
and how long you have resided there. 



THIRD CONC4RKSSONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 621 



Answer — Matthew Heldmann ; 37 years; saddler and harness maker; 
resided at xVnderson Conrt House for 17 years. 

558. Question—What poll did you attend at the election of November 
3, 1868? 

Answer — Anderson Court Plouse. 

559. Question — Did you witness any disturbance or outrage on that 
day ? and if so, state what you know in regard to it. 

Answer — I saw no disturbance or outrage. 

560. Question — Did you witness any disturbance or outrnge in Ander- 
son village during the Presidential campaign? if so, state what you know 
in reganl thereto. 

Answer — I saw none. i 

561. Question— Was the election at Anderson Court House, on the 3d 
of November last, conducted with order and propriety, and was every one 
allowed to vote as he chose without molestation ? 

Answer — As far as it came imder my observation, I never saw a I'airer 
election ; every one was allowed to vote as he chose ; I was at the polls 
nearly the whole day. 

562. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Was it not generally rumored that 
there was a band called tlie Ku Klux Klan, or bushwhackers, in this 
County, during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — No. 

563. Question — Did you belong to either of the political parties a 
few months preceding the general elec^tion ? 

Answer— Yes ; to the Democratic Club. 

564. Question — Did you attend the meetings of the Democratic Club 
regularly '( 

Answer — I attended frequently. 

565. Question — Was there not a resolution introduced, the subject-mat- 
ter of which was the non-employment of all i)ersons voting the Radical 
ticket ? 

Answer — No. 

566. Question — Was not the subject debated in your Club ? 

Answer — To the best of my recollection, it was mentioned in the Club 
one night, but not acted upon. It was concluded as unwise to act upon 
it. 

567. Question — Did you attend the meeting at the depot, at Anderson 
Court House, at which General Hampton, D, Wyatt Aiken and others 
spoke ? 

Answer — Yes. 

568. Question — Did you hear the remarks of D. Wyatt Aiken on that 
occasion ? 

Answer — No ; I left before he spoke. 
567. Question — Whom did you hear speak? 

Answer — Hampton was the only one I heard; he used no inflammatory 
language. 

570. Question — Did you attend the meeting here at wdiich Associate 
Justice Hoge spoke ? 

Answer — No ; he spoke in the lot back of my house. 

571. Question — Did you ever hear threats made against Republicans 
in this County ? 



622 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — No. 

572. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Did yon not leave the town of An- 
derson one night prior to the general election with three gentlemen on 
horses, and not return until near daylight tlie next morning 'i 

Answer — I did not. 

R. W. Reeves sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

573. Question — State your name, age, occupation, where you reside, 
and how long have you resided there ? 

Answer — R. W. Reeves ; sixty-five years ; farmer ; reside seven miles 
from Anderson C. H., in Centreville precinct ; resided there about fifty 
years. 

574. Question — What v/as the general conduct of the people of your 
vicinity during the summer and autumn of 1868. 

Answer — Peaceable 

575. Question — Did you attend the general election on the 3d of 
November, 1868? and, if so, state where and in what capacity you were 
acting. 

Answer — I did, as Manager of Election at Centreville precinct. 

576. Question— Was the election conducted orderly and in conformity 
to law ? 

Answer — Yes ; as orderly an election as I ever attended. 

577. Question — Was there any disturbance of the public peace at or 
near the poll ? 

Answer — No. 

578. Question — Did you witness any effort to intimidate any voter, by 
threats or violence, from voting as he desired ? 

Answer — No. 

579. Question — Did it come to your knowledge that any legal voter of 
Anderson County was, by violence or other unfair or illegal means, kept 
from going to the polls on the 3d of November, 1868, and voting as he 
desired ? 

Answer — No. 

580. Question — Did you belong to any political organization during 
the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer— I did not. 

581. Question — Did you know anything of a band of outlaws going 
through this County and committing various depredations during the 
Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — No ; I have heard reports only. 

582. Question (by Mr. Mclutyre) — With which political party do you 
affiliate ? 

Answer — I lean to the Democratic party, but I have never taken any 
part in politics particularly. 

583. Question — Did you canvass the votes the evening of the day of 
election ? if so, whether in public or private ? 

Answer — Yes, in private. 

584. Question — About how many votes were cast ? 
Answer — About sixty. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 623 



585. Question — About how many votes -were Democratic votes ? 
■ Answer — I can't recollect exactly ; thirty or thirty-two. 

586. Question — To the best of your recollection, how many registered 
names did you have on your books ? 

Answer — I think somewhere between eighty and a hundred. 

587. Question — To the best of your knowledge, what proportion were 
colored and white registered ? 

Answer — I can't recollect. 

588. Question — What was the duty assigned to you as Manager ? 
Answer — I had charge of the books. 

589. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Are you certain that your name is not 
on the roll of any Democratic Club? 

Answer — I don't know that it is ; I understood that they took my 
name down. 

R. N. Wright, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr, Bryant : 

590. Question — State your name, age, occupation, where you reside, 
and how long you have resided there. 

Answer — R. N. Wright, fifty-seven years, farmer, resided near Cray- 
tonville, five miles west of Honrea Path, in Anderson County, and lived 
there thirty-three years. 

591. Question — What Vv'as the condition of affliirs, as regards the ob- 
servance of the laws and respect for the rights of all classes of persons, 
in your portion of the County during the six months immediately prece- 
ding the late general election ? 

Answer — Everything was very quiet. 

592. Question — Did you attend the general election ou November 3, 
1868? if so, state where, and in what capacity you were acting. 

Answer — I did, at Honoea Path, as Manager of Election ; the other 
two received the votes, and I wrote the names. 

593. Question — Was the election conducted in good order, and in 
strict conformity to law ? 

Answei- — So far as I know, it was. 

594. Question — Was there any disturbance of the public peace at or 
near the poll ? 

Answer — I saw nor heard of any. 

595. Question — Did you witness any effort to intimidate any one, by 
threats or violence, from voting as they desired ? 

Answer — No. 

596. Question — Was there, to your knowledge, any person driven from 
the poll that day ? 

Answer — No. 

597. Question — Did it come to your knowledge that any legal voter 
of Anderson County was, by violence, or by any other imfair or illegal 
means, kept from going to the election on November 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — No. 

598. Question — Do you know anything of an armed band of men, 
riding over this County, during the few months immediately preceding 
the last general election, shooting and maltreating persons, breaking in- 
to the houses of colored men, beating men, women and children, destroy- 



624 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ing furniture and clothing, and committing many other acts of violence 
and outrage, forcing men to swear they would become Democrats, and 
threatening them with death if they went to the polls and voted the Re- 
publican ticket? 

Answer — No, to my certain knowledge, I do not. 

599. Question — Did you belong to any political organization during 
the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — No ; I was talked about rather in a slightly way for not do- 
ing so. I was charged as being a liadical, and had to come out in a 
card in the newspaper, and deny it, and state I belonged to no party, 
and was always a conservative man. 

600. Question (])y Mr. Mclntyre) — Was it not generally rumored in 
your settlement that there was a general system of intimidation towards 
all parties who differed in })olitics from the Democratic party? 

Answer — It was not rumored that that there was a general system of 
intimidation. 

601. Question — With which political party did you afliliate ? 
Answer — If with any, more with the Democratic than the other. 

602. Question — Please state your reasons Avhy you did not join the 
Democratic party. 

Answer — We had just got through a bloody war, and I thought we 
had been led off l>y our leaders, and I determined to take no part with 
either party, but be a conservative man. 

603. QuestioJi — Did the Demooiats ever threaten or abuse you in any 
way for not joining their party ? 

Answer — I had been a public man, and some of my friends said to me 
that if I didn't join the Democratic party I would ruin my popularity. 
Because I Avouldn't join the party it was rumored I was a Radical, and I 
then had to come out in a card in the Anderson Intelligencer, saying I 
belonged to neither party, but Avas a conservative. 

(304. Question — Did you take an oath, as Manager of Election, on the 
3d day of November, 1868? 

Answer — Yes. 

605. Question — Did you canvass the votes on the evening of the day 
of election? and if so, publicly, or privately? 

Answer — Yes ; we called two or three gentlemen to witness the count- 
ing of the votes. 

606. Question — About how many votes were polled ? 

Answer — I don't recollect ; it was not as strong a turn-out as it usu- 
ally had been. 

607. Question — Which were in the majority, the Democrat or Republi- 
can candidates? 

Answer — The Democrats had a pretty smart majority. 

608. Question — What was the proportion of Democrat or Republican 
votes ? 

Answer — I cannot tell positively. 

609. Question — Were you one of the registrars prior to the general 
election ? 

Answer — No. 

610. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You stated you called in some gentle- 
men to assist you in counting the votes ; how many did you call in ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 625 



Answer — Two or three. 

Gil. Question — Did those three men belong to the Republican or 
Democratic party ? 

Answer — I think they belonged to the Democratic party ; there were 
Eepul)lican black men standing around who could not read the names on 
the ticket, and were not called. 

612. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — State, as far as you know, if anything 
was said in your settlement that tended to interfere with Republicans? 

Answer — Nothing. 

613. Question (by Mr. Bryaiit) — As Manager of the last general elec- 
tion, held on November 3, 1868, did you count the votes in public or 
in private ? 

Answer — In public 

614. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — What time in the evening was it 
you counted the votes ? 

Answer — Immediately after closing the poll. 

615. Question — Were those two or three gentlemen you called in 
white men? 

Answer — Yes. 

616. Question — Did they assist you in any way, in counting the votes? 
Answer — No ; only looked over us to see we made no mistake in count- 
ing or marking ; they never touched the tickets. 

617. Question — Were those two or three men called in friends of the 
Managers of the election? 

Answer — They were. 

William M. Buchanan, sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

618. Question — State your name, age, occupation, wliere you reside, 
and how long you have resided there ? 

Answer — William M. Buchanan ; 64 years ; ftirmer ; reside near Hol- 
land's store voting poll, Anderson County, and resided there 10 years. 

619. Question — What was the general conduct of the people of your 
vicinity, as regards good order and obedience to the laws, during the sum- 
mer and autunui of 186S ? 

Answer — As far as I know, peaceable. 

620. Question — Were you at the election on the od November, 186S ? 
and if so, at what place, and in what capacity were you acting ? 

Answer — Yes ; at Holland's store, as Chairman of the Board of Elec- 
tion ]\[anagers. 

621. Question — Was the election conducted with order, propriety, and 
was every oneallov/ed to vote as he chose? 

Answer — Yes ; as far as I know, every one was allowed to vote without 
interruption. 

622. Question — Was any person driven from the poll on that day? 
Answer — None that I know of. 

623. Question — Did it come to your knowledge that any legal voter of 
Anderson County Avas, by violence or any other unfair and illegal means, 
kept from going to the polls, on the Bd November, 1868, and voting as 
he desired ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. 



626 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



624. Question — Do you know anything of an armed band of men 
riding over different parts of this County, dm-ing the few months immedi- 
ately preceding the last general election, shooting and maltreating persons, 
breaking into the houses of colored men, beating men, women and 
children, destroying furniture and clothing, and committing many other 
acts of violence and outrage, forcing colored men to swear that they 
would become Democrats, and threatening them with death if they went 
to the polls and voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer— No. 

625. Question — Did you belong to any political organization during 
the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — Yes ; to the Democratic Club 

626. Question — Was it the determination of the Democratic Club to 
which you belonged to endeavor to carry the election of the 3d of No- 
vember last by fraudulent and intimidating proceedings ? 

Answer — No ; but by honorable means. 

627. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you and the other Manageis 
take an oath as Managers of Election, November 3, 1S68 ? and if so, 
who administered the oath ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I forget who administered the oath. 

628. Question — Did you cauvass the votes the evening of the day of 
the election ? and if so, publicly or privately ? 

Answer — Yes ; privately, after the polls were closed at 6 P. IVI. 

629. Question — About how many votes were polled ? 
Answer — About 101. 

630. Question — About how many of those votes were polled by colored 
persons ? 

Answer — About 18 or 20. 

631. Question — Who had the majority, the Democratic or Republican 
candidates ? 

Answer — Democrat. 

632. Question — State about how many votes were polled for the Re- 
publican candidate. 

Answer — If I recollect right, there were none polled for the Republi- 
can candidate. 

633. (Question — In canvassing the votes, Avere all the Managers pres- 
ent ? 

Answer — Yes. 

634. Question — What duty was assigned to you, as Manager of the 
Election, on the day of election ? 

Answer — I had charge of the registration book, and referred to the 
names. 

635. Question — Were you one of the Registrars prior to the election ? 
Answer — Yes. ' 

636. Question — About how many names did you have registered ? 
Answer — I don't remember. 

637. Question — To the best of your recollection, were the colore*! or 
whites in the majority on your books? 

Answer — The whites. 

638. Question — About how large a majority ? 
Answer — I cannot tell. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 627 



639. Question — Did you canvass the votes in the polling room, and 
what time in the evening was it ? 

Answer — AYe canvassed in the polling room after 6 o'clock ; we closed 
the doors, and sent every body out except the Managers. 

640. Question — Did you fasten the doors ? 
Answer — Yes, locked the door. 

651. Question — Close the windows ? 

Answer — Yes. 

642. Question (by Mr. Smnlls) — You say you Avcre a member of the 
Democratic Club. Did that Club pass a resolution, prior to the election, 
not to employ those who voted the Radical ticket ? 

Answer — Ko, we didn't pass it. 

On motion, at 1 P. M , the Committee adjourned until 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjouruiuent, the Committee met at 3 P. M., and j>ro- 
ceeded to business. 

Robert Driver, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre: 

643. Question — Do you live in this Comity ? if so, where, how long- 
have you lived there? your name, age and occupation? 

Answer — I live in this County, 9 miles from Anderson C\)urt House, in 
INIcClinton's election precinct ; lived there 24 years ; I am 24 years old, 
and am a farmer. 

644. Question — AYere you a Manager of Election on the od day of 
November, 186!S ? 

Answer — I was. 

645. Question — Was tlic election carried on in strict conformity to 
law? 

Answer — It was. 

64:6. Question — Did you witness any disturbance that day ? 

Answer — No. 

647. Question— Was every person allowed the privilege of voting as 
lie desired ? 

Answer — So far as I know, they were. 

648. Question — Did you canvass the votes the evening of the day of 
election ? and if so, publicly or privately ? 

Answer — We canvassed the votes that evening, publicly. 
049. Question — About what time in the evening did you canvass the 
votes ? 

Answer — About 7 o'clock. 

650. Question — About how many persons were present during the can- 
vass of the votes ? 

Answer — About half a dozen. 

651. Question — White or colored men? 
Answer — White men. 

79 



628 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



652. QuestioJi — About how many votes v/ere polled that day ? 
Answer — I don't reniember. 

653. Question — Who had the majority, the Democratic or Republican 
candidates ? 

Answer — The Democrats. 

654. Question — About how many votes did the Democrats have ? 
Answer — I don't remember. 

655. Question — About how many votes did the Republican candidates 
receive ? 

Answer — I don't remember. 

656. Question — How do you know that the Democratic candidate had 
a majority ? 

Answer — Because I don't think the Radicals had more than seven 
votes. 

657. Question — Did you take an oath as Manager of Election ? If 
so, Avho administered the oath? 

Answer — Mr. JMcClinton, Chairman, administered the oath to the Man- 
agers. 

658. Question — About how many colored persons voted that day ? 
Answer-^I do not know how many voted, 

659. Question — Did you belong to either of the political jiarties du- 
ring the Presidential campaign? 

Answer — Yes ; to the Democratic party. 

660. Question — Did you ever attend any Democratic meetings? 
Answer — Once. 

661. Question — As far as you know, Avas there not a general system of 
threats towards all persons professing Republican sentiments in your set- 
tlement? 

Answer — There was not. 

662 Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Did you know of a band of men 
going through your settlement at night, and 

Witness — I refuse to answer his questions. I will answer the questions 
of any white man of the Committee. 

663. Mr. Crews— State your objections to answering the question pro- 
pounded by IVEr. Smalls, the colored member of this Committee. 

Witness — I can't do it. 

AVitness — Well, I will answer your question. 

664. Question (repeated) — Did you kuoAV of a band of men travelling 
through your settlement at night prior to the general election called Ku 
Klux or bushwhackers to prevent colored men from voting the Rejjubli- 
can ticket ? 

Answer — I did not. 

Newton Scott, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

665. Question — Do you live in this County ? if so, state where and 
how long you have lived there, your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County, at Anderson Court House, lived here 
about thirty years, thirty-five years old, and am Town Marshal. 

666. Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations or threats 
committed during the Presidential campaign. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 629 



Answer — No. 

667. Question — What poll did you attend on the od of November, 
1868 ? 

Answer — Anderson Court House. 

668. Question — Did you witness any disturbance that day ? 
Answer — No ; everything Avas quiet. 

669. Question — Prior to the late general election were you not called 
upon to go out of town to persuade or prevent a party of bushwhackers 
from coming into town ? 

Answer — No ; it was rumored here that there was a party coming in 
at night, and I went to the Intendant and asked him Avhat I should do in 
case they did come. He told me if they came, to inform him imme- 
diately, and they never came, that I know of. 

670. Question — Did not the Intendant of the town instruct you to go 
out there and see if such a party Avas coming ? 

Answer — He told me to watch for them, and, if I saw them coming, 
tell them not to come in ; and, if they did come, to inform him imme- 
diately. 

671. Question — Did you not see this party? 
Answer — No. 

672. Question — Did you not inform some person, or persons, that 
you saw the party ? 

Answer — No. 

673. Question — Did you not attend a meeting in this village, prior to 
the election, at which General Hampton and D. Wyatt Aiken spoke? 

Answer — No ; that was at the depot, and I had as much as I could 
attend to here in the })ublic square. 

674. Question— Did you, or did you not, hear considerable threats used 
on that day ? 

AnsAver — No. 

675. Question — Did you attend the meeting in this village, at which 
Associate Justice Hoge spoke ? 

Answer — No. 

676. Q,uestion — Did you not hear very insulting language used towards 
Justice Hoge ? 

Answer — No. 

677. Question — As Town Marshal, were you ever called upon to quell 
any disturbances a few months immediately preceding the late general 
election ? 

Answer — I don't recollect any particular one, I have been called u}>on 
so often. I was called upon the night Hoge was here ; I suppose they 
anticipated a fuss, but there was none. 

679. Question — Did you belong to any political organization during 
the Piesidential campaign ? 

Answer — I did not. 

680. Question — With which jiolitical parly do you afhliate? 
Answer — I reijuest to be excused from answering. (AVitness excused.) 

681. Question — Did you attend any of the I)emocratic Club meeLing.s 
during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — No. 

682. Question (liy Mr. Bryant) — Were the people in your A^icluity 



630 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



peaceable and law-abiding, so far as your knowledge extended, during the 
six months immediately preceding the general election? 

Answer — Yes. 

680. Question — What was the general conduct of the white people of 
your vicinity toward the colored people during the summer and autumn 
of 18GS ? 

Answer — Very good, so far as I know. 

684 Question — Was there, to your knowledge, any person driven from 
any poll in Anderson County on the 3d of November, 1868? 

Answer — No. 

685. Question — Has it come to your knowledge that any legal voter of 
Anderson County was, by violence, or any other unfair or illegal means, 
kept from going to the polls on the day of said election ? 

Answer — No. 

686. Qiiestion (by Mr. Crews) — Do you know anything of a party of 
men driving a colored man out of the town last fall ? 

Answer — I do not recollect. 

J. J. Shirley sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

687. Question — State your name, age, occupation, where you reside, 
and how long you have resided there ? 

Answer — J. J. Shirley ; 44 years ; Merchant and Farmer ; reside at 
Hona'a Path, and have for 18 years. 

688. Question — What disposition has been manifested by the citizens 
of Anderson County, so far as your knowledge extends, in regard to the 
observance of the laws and the maintenance of the public peace, since 
the inauguration of the present reconstructed State Government of South 
Carolina ? 

Answer — Very quiet at our place ; I have heard no disturbance ; both 
black and white got along very well. 

6^9. Question — What was the general conduct of the white people in 
your vicinity towards the colored people during the summer and autumn 
of 1868? 

Answer — ^Very good. The whites were disposed to do what was right to 
man and man. 

690. Question — Did you attend the general election, November 3, 
1868 ? If so, state where and in what capacity you were acting. 

Answei' — I did, at Houoea Path, as a Manager. 

691. Question — Was the election conducted in strict conformity to 
law? Was there any disturbance of the public peace at or near the poll, 
and did you witness any effort to intimidate any person, by threats or 
violence, from voting as he desired ? 

Answer — It Avas conducted, so far as I know, peaceably. I saw no 
disturbance. I witnessed no effort of intimidation. 

()92. Question — Did you belong to any political organization during 
the late Presidential election ? 

Answer — I did not. 

693. Question — Do you know anything of an armed band of men 
riding over dilierent portions of this County, during the few months 
immediately preceding the last general election, shooting and maltreating 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 631 



persons, bueaking into the houses of colored men, beating men, women 
and children, destroying furniture and clothing, and committing many 
other acts of violence and outrage, forcing colored men to swear they 
would be Democrats, and threatening them with death if they went to the 
polls and voted the Republican ticket ? 
Answer — I do not. 

694. Question (by Mr. Mclutyre) — Was it not generally rumored that 
such was the state of affairs in this and adjoining Counties ? 

Answer — I do not know. There was talk there were such things, but 
I don't know whether they were true or not. 

695. Question— Were you and the other Managers of election at 
Honoea Path sworn, and by whom ? 

Answer — Yes ; by Squire Wright or !Mattison. I am not certain 
which. 

696. Question — Did you canvass the votes the evening of the day of 
election, and if so, publicly or privately ? 

Answer — We counted that evening. Both white and black persons 
were present- 

597. Question — About how many votes were cast ? 
Answer — I disremember. 

698. Question — Did the Democratic or Republican candidate have 
the majority? 

Answer — The Democrats ; about two to one, I think. 

699. Question — About how many votes did the Republican candidate 
receive ? 

Answer — I don't remember ; about thirty, I think. 

700. Question — About how many did the Democratic candidate re- 
ceive ? 

Answer — I don't remember. 

701. Question — AVere you one of the Registrars prior to the electioji ? 
Answer — Yes. 

702. Question — About how many names did you have registered? 
Answer — I don't recollect. 

703. To the best of your recollection, which were in the majority in 
the registration, the whites or colored ? 

Answer — The whites, as far as I recollect. There was no considerable 
difference. 

704. Question — What duty was assigned to you as Manager ? 
Answer — I wrote the names. 

705. Question — With which political party do you affiliate? 
Answer — I am a Democrat in principle. 

On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow, at 
9 A. M. 



632 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Anderson C. H., S. C, August 26, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjouvumeut, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 

A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

Granville Clark, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

706. Question — Are you a citizen of Anderson County ? 
Answer — Yes ; I reside at Storrsvillc voting precinct. 

707. Question — How long have you been living there ? 
Answer — About seven years. 

70S. Question — Did you vote on the day of the late general election ? 
Answer — I did. 

709. Question — Was there any disturbance at the poll that day ? 
Answer — No. 

710. Question — Do you know the luimber of voters in that precinct ? 
Auswei' — No. 

711. Question — Do you know of any threats, intimidations, or vio- 
lence of any kind, committed on any person or persons, prior to and on 
the day of the late general election ? 

Answer — No ; but have heard of a good deal. 

712. Question — Was there any political organization in your precinct? 
Answer — No. 

713. Question — Were you, or any other person about your precinct, 
disturbed, prior to the election, by any unknown persons at night? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge ; only what I have heard. 

714. Question — Did you ever see any person who had been abused 
prior to the general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

715. Question — Please give us the name of the party whom you saw 
liad been abused, or disturbed at night, by unknown persons prior to the 
election. 

Answer — Jim Thompson, on Emerson's place. 

716. Question — What did Jim Thompson tell you they had done to 
him ? 

Mr. Bryant — I object to the question, as being hearsay. 
Answer — He said they had knocked him about, and torn up his wife's 
clothing. 

717. Question — Did he tell you wliat reason they assigned for abusing 
him ? 

Answer — I can't say precisely now. 

718. Question — Did the colored people in your precinct vote generally 
on the day of election ? 



1 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 633 



Answer — Some voted. 

719. Question — Do you know wliy they did not generally vote? 
Answer — I do not. 

720. Question (by Mr. Melntyre) — Do you or do you not know of 
persons being whipped in your neighborhood prior to the general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — No ; only heard of it. 

721. Question — Did you not hear considerable firing at night in your 
neighborhood immediately preceding the election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

722. Question — What did common talk say was the cause of that 
firing ? 

Answer — It was suj'tposed to be on account of the election. 

Solomon Cox, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

723. Question — In what portion of the County do you live ? 
Answer — Four miles below I^elton, in Anderson County. 
72-1. Question — In what election precinct ? 

Answer — Belton. 

725. Question — How long have you been living in Belton precinct ? 
Answer — About four years. 

726. Question — Do you know of any outrages or intimidations commit- 
ted prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — None but on myself. 

727 Question — Please tell us in what way you were abused. 

Answer — Two men came to my house, and asked for something to eat 
and water to drink, and I gave them Avater. I handed one a drink, and 
the other didn't drink. They asked me how I voted, and I told them 
the Radical ticket. One of them grasped me by the throat, and tried to 
jerk me out of the house. We scnfiied, and he beat me over the head 
with a sassafras root, and, in scuffling, we got into the yard, and they 

said " You thought we were d d Yankees, but we'll let you know we 

are not " They then went off on their horses. 

728. Question — Did they tell you why they beat you ? 
Answer- —No. 

729. Question — Did you know either of the persons who beat you ? 
Answer — No. 

730. Question — How were they dressed ? 
Answer — Blue looking clothes. 

731. Question — Did this occur at night, or in the daytime? 
Answer — Early in the night ; about candle-light. 

732. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Do you know of any person, or per- 
sons, prevented from voting as they pleased ? 

Answer — No. 

W. T. Grubbs sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

733. Question — What is your name, age, occupation, where do you re- 
side, and how long have you resided there ? 



634 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, I 

Answer — W. T. Grulibs ; 28 years ; Farmer ; reside in Towiiville pre- 
cinct, Anderson County ; resided there all my life. 

734. Question — Did you attend the general election held on November 
3, 1868? and, if so, state Avhere, and in what capacity you were acting. 

Answer — I did, at Townville, as manager of election. 

735. Question — Did you have instructions from the Commissioners of 
Election relative to the manner of conducting the election ? if so, were 
they written, printed, or verbal ? 

Answer — We had instructions verbally from the Commissioners. 

736. Question — Were you furnished with a copy of an " Act providing 
for the next general election, and the manner of conducting the same ?" 

Ansv.-er — I don't recollect. 

737. Question — Was every registered voter who applied allowed to 
vote as he chose without molestation? 

Answer — He was, and all that came under my observation. 

738. Question — Was there any disturbance of the public peace at or 
near the poll ? 

Answer — None that I saw. 

739. Question — Did you witness any effort to intimidate any person, by 
threats or violence, from voting as he desired ? 

Answer — I did not. 

740. Question — Was there, to your knowledge, any person driven from 
the poll on that day ? 

Answer— There was not. 

741. Question — Did it conie to your knowledge that any legal voter of 
Anderson County W'as, by violence or any other unfair or illegal means, 
prevented from going to the election on November 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — No. 

742. Question — Were you a member of any political organization 
during the late Presidential campaign ? if so, was it a secret or public 
organization, and what were its objects? 

Answer — I am not certain whether I put my name on the })aper ; but 
we had Democratic Clubs publicly ; the objects of the organization were 
to secure a white man's Government, for which our forefathers fought, 
and for white men to rule the country. 

743. Question — Was it the determination of the Democratic party in 
your vicinity to carry the elections on the 3d of November last by fraud- 
ulent and intimidatory proceedings ? 

Answer — It was not. 
744. Question — Do you know anything of an armed band of men rid- 
ing over different portions of this County, during the few months immedi- 
ately preceding the last general election, shooting and maltreating persons, 
breaking into the houses of colored men, beating men, women and chil- 
dren, destroying furniture and clothing, and committing many other acts 
of violence and outrage, forcing colored men to swear they would be 
Democrats, and threatening them with death if they Avent to the polls 
and voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I knew of no such thing ; it did'nt come under my knowl- 
edge. 

745. Question — Has any officer of the law in Anderson County, to 
your knowledge, been set at defiance since the adoption of the present 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 635 



Constitution, or have you heard any seemingly well authenticated public 
rumor to that effect ? 

Answer — Has not come to my knowledge, and I have heard no such 
rumor. 

746. Question — Do you know of any public highway in this County 
being picketted or patrolled during the Presidential campaign by armed 
men who interrogated passengers about their politics, frequently abusing 
and assaulting those who differed with them in political opinion ? 

Answer — I do not. 

747. Question — Have you heard any apparently well founded rumor 
to that effect ? 

Answer — I have not. 

748. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — During the few months imme- 
diately i^receding the late general election was it or was it not the inten- 
tion of the party to which you belonged to have resorted to any and all 
means to carry the election for a " white man's government," as you 
style it ? 

Answer — It was not. 

749. Q,uestion — To the best of your knowledge, was it safe for any per- 
son to have made a Republican speech in your vicinity? 

Answer — I don't suppose they would have been hurt. No Republican 
speeches were made there. 

750. Question — Was it not generally rumored in your settlement that 
there was an organization of Ku Klux in this County ? 

Answer — Yes ; it was rumored there was such a party in the County 
somewhere. 

751. Question — Did you canvass the votes on the evening of the day 
of election? if so, publicly or privately? 

Answer — We did canvass the votes the same evening, and publicly, in 
])resence of the Managers and peace ofiieer. 

751j. Question — About what time in the evening did you canvass tlie 
votes ? 

Answer — As soon as we closed the poll ; about dark. 

753. Question — Did you close the doors while canvassing the votes? 
Answer — We did not. 

754. Question — Did the peace officer assist you in an}' way in canvass- 
ing the votes ? 

Answer — Pie helped us to count them. 

755. (Question — A])out how many votes were polled? 
Answer — I don't recollect now. 

756. Question — About how many votes did the Repul)liean candidate 
receive ? 

Answer — I can't say how many. 

757. Question — Were you one of tlie Registrars jirior to the election? 
Answer — I was. 

758. Question — About how many names did you have registered ? 
Answer — I can't answ'er correctly ; somewhere near one hundred. 

759. Question — AVhich were in the majority, the colored or whites 
registered ? 

Answer — The vv'hites. I know there were two to one. 

80 



636 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



760. Question — About how many colored persons voted on the 3d of 
November, 1868? 

Answer — Twenty anyhow that voted. 

761. Question — Which candidate had a majority of votes on the day 
of the general election, the Democrats or Kepublicans ? 

Answer — The Democrats. 

762. Question — A majority of about how many ? 
Answer — I suppose about two to one. 

763. Question — Were you sworn as a Manager of election, and by 
whom ? 

Answer — Yes ; by the Chairman of the Board. 

William Gailliard (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

764. Question — Do you live in this County? If so, state where, how 
long you have lived there, and your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County, in the Dark Corner, thirteen miles 
from the Court House ; lived there about twenty years. I am thirty-four 
years of age, and a farmer. 

765. Question — Did you, or did you not, receive the Republican tickets 
for the Dark Corner box, at the Presidential election? 

Answer — Yes. 

766. Question — Did you take them to the poll on the day of election? 
Answer — Yes ; in my pocket. 

767. Question — Did you deliver the tickets as instructed ? If not, 
state the reason why. 

Answer — No. Two white men met me before I reached the box, and 
told me if a Radical ticket was cast there, that the person should not 
live to get home ; and told me to vote a Democratic ticket, as that was 
the right ticket to vote, and they handed me a Democratic ticket. 

768. Question — Did these two white men compel you, by force, to 
vote the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — Yes. 

769. Question — What did you do with the Republican tickets? 
Answer — Carried them back home, and destroyed them. 

770. Q,uestion — Was there much firing of guns the night previous to 
the day of election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

771. Question — Did you, or did you not, hear men riding about, in 
various directions, the same night you heard the firing? 

Answer — Yes ; I heard them. 

772. Question — Hearing these unknown persons riding about, did it, 
or did it not, intimidate colored persons from going to the polls the next 
day, to vote? 

Answer — It did. 

773. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Where did you meet this man who 
told you if a Radical ticket Avas voted there that day he should not live 
to get home ? 

Answer — About thirty steps from the poll. 

774. Question — What is his name ? 
Answer — Mr. Elias McGee. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTIGT, S. C. 637 



775. Questiou — Is he white or colored? 
Answer — White. 

776. Question — Was he alone, or in company with others ? 
Answer — Another gentleman was with him. 

777. Question — Did. any other person make any threat to you, on that 
day? 

Answer — The gentleman with him told me that Mr. McGee was right 
for so saying. 

778. Question — What was that other gentleman's name ? 
Answei' — William Long. 

779. Question — Did those two men return to the poll that day, while 
you remained ? 

Answer — Mr. McGce put his hand behind me, and pushed me on, up 
to the poll, and told Mr. Catlett to give me a ticket, and he dune so, and 
I cast the ticket ; and told me I had done right for so doing. 

780. Question — What ticket did you vote ? 
Answer — Democratic ticket. 

781. Question — How do you know it was a Democratic ticket. 
Answer — They told me it was a Democratic ticket. 

782. Question — Can you read ? 
Answer — Not much ; a little in print. 

788, Question — How long had you belonged to the Democratic party, 
before the election ? 

Answer — Had not belonged to it at all. 

784. Question — How long had you been in sympathy with the Demo- 
cratic party ? 

Answer — -I didn't believe in them. 

785. Question — Why, then, did you vote the Democratic ticket ? 
Answer — Because I was afraid of the threats. 

786. Question — Did any person endeavor to compel you to vote the 
Democratic ticket, on that day ? 

Answer — Mr. McGee did. 

787. Question— In what way did he endeavor to compel you to vote 
the Democratic ticket? 

Answer — He said we couldn't get homes to live in. 

788. Question — You stated in the direct examination that this firing 
Avhicli you heard the night previous to the election intimidated colored 
persons from going to the poll the next day. How do you know that 
this was the case ? 

Answer — I heard other colored persons talk about the same thing, be- 
cause every white man that had met up with a colored person asked him 
to vote the Democratic ticket. 

Matt Palmer, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

789. Question — What is your name, age and occupation ? where do 
you reside, and how long have you resided there ? 

Answer — Matt Palmer ; 53 years ; farmer ; reside in Brow^n's Muster 
Ground precinct, and resided there nearly all my life. 

790. Question — What disposition has been manifested by the citizens 
of Anderson County, so far as your knowledge extends, in regard to the 



638 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

observance of the laws aud the nnihiteiiance of tlie public peace, since 
the inauguration of the ])re,sent reconstructed State Government of 
South Carolina? 

Answer — As far as I know, it has been to support and maintain the 
laws of our State ? 

791. Question — AVhat has been the general conduct of tlie white pop- 
ulation of this County toward the colored people since the emancipation 
of the latter ? 

Answer — In viij neighborliood they liave treated them with respect, 
furnished them lands aud homes ; gave them employment, when they 
would work. 

792. Question — Did you attend the gcnerel election held on November 
8, 1868 ? and if so, state where, and in what capacity you were acting. 

Answer — I did, at Brown's Muster Ground, as Manager of Election. 

793. Question — Did you receive instructions from the Commissioners 
of Election as to the manner of conducting the election ? if so, were those 
instructions written, printed or verbal ? 

Answer — We received printed instructions from the Commissioners of 
Election. 

794. Question — Were you furnished with a copy of an Act entitled 
" An Act providing for the next general election, and the manner of con- 
ducting the same ?" 

Answer — We Avere furnished with an Act of the Legislature author- 
izing the same. 

795. Question — In your instructions from the Commissioners of Elec- 
tions, was there anything in relation to the counting of votes ? 

Answer — I don't remember. 

796. Question — Was the election conducted in strict conformity to 
law ? 

Answer — We opened the polls at 6 A. M., and kept them open until 
6 P. M. 

797. Question — Was every legal voter allowed to vote as he chose, 
witliout molestation ? 

Answer — They were at the box ; if there was anything to the contrary 
out in the crowd, I never heard it. 

798. Question — Was there any disturbance of the public peace at or 
near the poll ? 

Answer — Not any ; the day passed off quietly. 

799. Question — Did you witness any effort, on the day of the last gen- 
eral election, November 3, 1808, to intimidate any j)erson, by threats or 
violence, from voting as he desired? 

Answer — I did not. 

800. Question — Was there, to your knowledge, any person driven from 
the poll on that clay ? 

Answer — There was not, to my knowledge, 

801. Question — Has it come to your knowledge that any legal voter 
of Anderson County was, by violence or any other illegal or unfair 
means, prevented from going to the election on the 3d of November, 
1868 ? 

Answer — No. 

802. Question — Were you a member of any political organization du- 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 639 



ring tlie late Presidential campaign? if so, was it a secret or public or- 
ganization r' and what were its objects '( 

Answer — I belonged to the Democratic Club formed at Fant's school 
house ; it w^as a public organization ; its objects were to carry out the 
laws of our country as well as we could, and to get a Democratic Presi- 
dent elected ; it organized and only had two meetings afterwards. 

80o. Q.uestion — Was it the determination of the Democratic Club at 
Fant's school house to carry the election on the 3d of November last by 
fraudulent and intimidatory proceedings ? 

Answer — No. 

J^04. Question — Do you know^ anything of an arm.ed l)and of men 
riding over different ]>ortions of this County during the few months im- 
mediately preceding the late general election, shooting and maltreating 
persons, breaking into the houses of colored men, beating men, Avomeu 
and children, destroying furniture and clothing, and committing many 
other acts of violence and outrage, forcing colored men to swenr they 
Avould become Democrats, and threatening them with death if they went 
to the polls and voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I know nothing of that kind myself. There were flying re- 
ports of such through the country. 

805. Question — Has any ofiicer of the law in Anderson County, to 
your knowledge, been set at defiance since the adoption of the present 
Constitution ? 

Answer — No. 

80(3. Question — Have you heard any seemingly well authenticated 
public rumor to that effect? 

Answer — I have not. 

807. Questioji — Do you know of any public highway in this County 
being picketted and patrolled during the Presidential cam})aign by armed 
men who interrogated passengers about tlunr polities, frequently abusing 
and assaulting those who diflered with them in political opinion? 

Answer — ^ot to my knowledge. 

808. Question — Has there been any apparently well founded public 
rumor to that effect ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

809. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did you, or did you not, witness 
any eflbrt by any person or persons belonging to the Democratic party 
prior to the general election to intimidate or threaten any j:>erson or per- 
sons who did not coincide with their political views ? 

Answer — I heard some men say who had freedmen living with them 
that if they voted the Radical ticket they would not give tlaem employ- 
ment for the next year, but I know of no man who carried it out. 

810. Question — Was it, or was it not, the general talk among the 
people in your settlement that the highways were picketted and patrolled 
by unknown persons styling themselves bushwhackers and Ku Klux, and 
that colored men were taken out of their houses and beaten for express- 
ing themselves as Republicans ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge ; but there were rumors to that effect. 

811. Question — Did you canvass the votes the evening of the day of 
election? and if so, publicly or privately? 

Answer — We counted them on the evening of the election publicly. 



640 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



818. Question — To the best of your recollection, who had the luajorityj 
the Democratic or the Re]:>ub!ican candidate ? 
Answer — The Democratic candidate. 

814. Question — Do you know how many votes were polled that 
day ? 

Answ^er — About sixty votes in all. 

815. Question — About how many colored persons voted? 
Answer — 1 don't think there were exceeding twenty. 

816. Question — About how many votes did the Republican candidate 
receive ? 

Answer — I can't say ; I think only twelve or fifteen colored persons 
voted, and five Avhites voted the Republican ticket. 

817. Question — Were you sworn as Manager? if so, who administered 
the oath ? 

Answer — I was sworn by the C'lerk of the Court, at Anderson Court 
House. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M., and pro- 
ceeded to business. 

J. W. Rosamond, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

818. Question — What is your name, age, occupation ? where do you 
reside, and how long have you resided there ? 

Answer — J. W. Rosamond ; 45 years ; farmer ; reside in Brushy 
Creek precinct, Anderson County ; born and raised there. 

819. Question — Did you attend the general election held on Novem- 
ber 3, 1868 ? if so, where and in what capacity were you acting? 

Answer — I did ; at Brushy Creek precinct ; as Manager of Election. 

820. Question — Was the election at Brushy Creek conducted in strict 
conformity to law ? 

Answer — To the best of my knowledge, it was. 

821. Question — Was every legal voter allowed to vote as he chose 
without molestation ? 

Answer — So far as I know^ he was. 

822. Question — Was there any disturbance of the public peace at or 
near the poll on that day ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

823. Question — Did you witness any effort to intimidate any person, by 
threats or violence, from voting as he desired on that day ? 

Answ^er — None. 

824. Question — Was there, to your knowdedge, any person driven from 
the poll on that day ? 

Answer — None. 

825. Question — Has it come to your knowledge that any legal voter in 
Anderson County was, by violence or any other illegal or unfair means, 
prevented from going to the election on the 3d November, 1868 ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 641 



Answer — No. 

826. Question — "Were you a member of any political organization du- 
ring the late Presidential campaign ? if so, was it a secret or public or- 
ganization, and what Avere its objects? 

Answer — My name may be on a list as belonging to a Democratic Club, 
but I am not positively certain of it. It was a public organization. So 
far as I know, its objects were to have as many Democratic votes polled 
as possible. 

827. Question — Was it the determination of the Democratic Club to 
which you belonged to carry the election on the 3d of November last by 
fraudulent and intimidatory proceedings ? 

Answer — It was not, according to my knowledge. 

828. Question — Do you know anything of an armed band of men trav- 
elling through the country a few months preceding the last general elec- 
tion, committing various depredations upon colored persons, and threat- 
ening them with death if they went to the polls and voted the Radical 
ticket ? 

Answer — If there was such, I knew nothing about it. 

829. Question — To your knowledge, has any officer of the law in An- 
derson County been set at defiance since the adoption of the present State 
Constitution ? 

Answer — There has not, to my knowledge. 

830. Question — Do you know anything of the picketing and patrolling 
of any public highway in Anderson County during the Presidential cam- 
paign by any citizen or citizens of the County ? 

Answer — I do not. 

831. Question — Have you heard any apparently well-founded pub- 
lic rumor to that cfi'ect ? 

Answer — I have not. 

832. Question — During the late Presidential campaign was there, to 
your knowledge, any systematic effort to deter colored persons from the 
exercise of the elective franchise? 

Answei" — There was not. 

833. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — You stated there were no threats of 
death to any person who woidtl vote tlie Radical ticket. Do you know 
of any threats made by any persons not belonging to any organized 
band 't 

Answer — I don't know of anj'^ threats made. 

834. Question — What was the voting population of your precinct at 
the general election? 

Answer — I don't remember ; I might say between two and three hun- 
dred. 

835. Question — -Do you know wliat party had the majority in yourpre- 
cinct ? 

Answer — As far as I know, the Democratic party. 

836. Question — Do you know about the number of colored persons 
voting on the day of election ? 

Answer — -I have forgotten. 

837. Question — Was it not a general rumor in your precinct that any 
colored persons voting the Radical ticket would not have homes or em- 
ployment the next year ? 



642 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — The rumor was that it was doubtful if all would get employ- 
ment and homes ; I can't say that it was a general rumor. 

838. Question — Do you know any person who did not vote on account 
of that rumor ? 

Answer — No. 

839. Question — Do you remember what number of Radical tickets were 
polled at your box ? 

Answer — I have forgotten the number, but there were several. 

840. Question — Did you ever have any political speaking in your pre- 
cinct prior to the general election ? 

Answer — I understood there was ; but I didn't hear any, that I re- 
member. 

841. Question — When did you canvass the votes that Avere given at 
your box on November S, 1868 "/ 

Answer — After the poll was closed. 

842. Question — What time did you close the poll ? 
Answer — About dark. 

843. Q,uestion — Did you canvass the votes privately or publicly ? 
Answer — Tiie doors were open. 

844. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Were the ]\[anagers sworn ; and, if 
so, by whom ? 

Answer — They Avere sworn, but by whom I have forgotten. 

Edmund Pickens (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

845. Question — Do you live in this County? and, if so, where, how 
long have you lived there, your age and ocx'iipation ? 

Answer — I live in this Comity, in Holland's Store precinct, tAvelve 
miles from the Court House, and lived there two years ; forty years old, 
and a farmer. 

84(). Question — Did you vote on the day of election, November 3, 
18(58, and what ticket did you vote ? 

Answer — I did ; I voted the Democratic ticket. 

847. Question— Why did you vote that ticket 't 

Answer — 1 was afraid, as my life was threatened. They said the Ku 
Klux would ride in that night and kill us, and we wouldn't know who 
did it. This threat was made before the election. 

848. Question — The niglit previous to the election did you, or did you 
not, hear considerable firing of guns ? 

Answer — Yes ; I did. 

849. Question — Did you not, the same night, also hear the tramp of 
horses riding in all directions ? 

Answer — Yes. 

850. Question — Were you ever threatened prior to the election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

851. Question — ^By Avhom Avere you threatened? 

Answer — I couldn't call any one in particular. More than a dozen 
threatened me. They AA'ere strangers to me. 

852. Question — Was it, or Avas it not, through fear that you voted the 
Democi'atic ticket ? 

Answer — Yes ; through fear. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 643 



853. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You say you voted the Democratic 
ticket through fear ; did any one threaten you on the day of election ? 

Answer — Yes ; that day at Holland's. 

854. Question — Did any one threaten to do you injury if you did not 
vote the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — Yes ; Mr. Holland's son said I wouldn't see my home if I 
didn't vote as he wanted me to vote. 

855. Question — Did you belong to any political organization previous 
to the election ? 

Answer — No ; I did not belong to the Union League, because they 
wouldn't let me. My master told me the house would be blown up if I 
joined it. 

856. Question — Do you know the nature of an oath ? if so, please 
state what it is. 

Answer — Yes ; if any one takes a Bible in his right hand, and kisses 
the book, and tells a lie, he will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven 

857. Question (by Mr. Smalls) — Did you intend to vote any other 
ticket before Mr. Holland's son told you a\ hat you have stated ? 

Answer — Yes ; I intended to have voted the Radical ticket. 

858. Question — Were you really afraid of this young man who told 
you that ? 

Answer — Yes. 

859. Question — Did you ever know him to abuse colored people ])efore 
that time ? 

Answer — No. 

860. Question — How many colored men were at the poll when he 
made the threat to you ? 

Answer — A good many. 

861. Question — Did any of the other colored men hear liim tell you 
that if you voted the Radical ticket you should not see home ? 

Answer — No ; we were at a distance irom the poll. He took rae by 
the arm, and led me out into the road a-piece. 

862. Question — Yoii say your master told you if you went and joined 
the Union League, the house should be blown up ? 

Answer — Yes, 

868. Question — What house did your master mean '/ the house the 
Union League met in, or the house you live in ? 
Answer — Tlie house the League met in. 

864. Question — Do you work for him now? 
Answer — No. 

865. Question — Why do you call him your master? 

Answer — He raised me, and when I am among people I use tlmL word by 
Avay of manners. 

866. Question — Is he your master now ? 
Answer — No. 

867. Question — What is the name of the man that told you the Union 
League room would be blown up ? 

Answer — AVilliam Lcavitt. 

868. Question — Did any other persons from your sottlcinent join the 
League ? 

Answer — Yes ; a good many. 
81 



64-1 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



8G9. Question — Why, then, were you afraid ? 

Answer — A good many who joined it quit because they got scared ; 
and so I was afraid. 

Jackson Humphreys, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr, Smalls : 

870. Question — In what part of Anderson County do you live? 
Answer — In Rock Mill beat, about eight miles from the court house. 

871. Question — How long have you lived there? 
Answer — About seven years. 

872. Question — Do you know of any outrages or intimidations com- 
mitted on any person, or persons, prior to the general election in Novem- 
ber, 18G8, whereby any person, or persons, were kept from voting on that 
day as they felt disposed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

873. Question — Please state the circumstances that occurred. 
Answer — Threats were made that if any freedman voted the Radical 

ticket he should be deprived of his home, or murdered slyly ; that is, he 
should go up after the election, if he voted the Radical ticket. 

874. Question — Do you know of any person who did not vote on 
account of those threats ? 

Answer — Yes ; numbers in my neighborhood didn't go. 

875. Question — Did you vote ? 

Answer — No, I didn't go ; we had a strong League there, and they 
were more severe on the officers than the ])rivates. I was an otHcer, and 
did not go, as I kncAV I could not vote as I wanted. 

870. Question — Was it on account of those threats you didn't go and 
vote ? 

Answer — Yes. 

877. Question — Did any of those persons, who you say did not vote, 
tell you that those threats made were the cause ? 

AnswVir — Yes. 

878. Q,uestion — Do you know the names of any of those persons who 
made those violent threats ? 

Answer — No ; none who said it particularly to me ; it was the general 
talk through the neighborhood. 

Peter Williams (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

879. Question — Do you live in this County ? if so, where and how long 
have you lived there ; your age and occupation ? 

Answer — I live in this County ; at Anderson Court House ; lived there 
three years ; 23 years ; and am a Farmer. 

880.Q,uestion — Did you attend a meeting in this village, at which D. 
Wyatt Aiken, Wade Hampton and others, made speeches, immediately 
preceding the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

881. Question — Were the sjieeches made inflammatory, or conciliatory 
in their cliaracter? 

Answer — Inthinnnatory. 

8'^2 Question — Did any person threaten you on that day ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 645 



Answer — Yes. 

883. Question — State who threatened you, and for what cause. 
Answer — At the hotel door a crowd of white men were standing, and 

they asked me whether I was a Kadical or Democrat ; I told them I was 
a Radical ; and, when I said this, a black man stepped up and said, 
" You are a Radical, are you ?" I said " yes ; I am a Radical from the 
enel of my toe-nail to the top sprig of hair in my head ;" then he com- 
menced cursing me. I told him to go on, and let me alone. There were 
several white men pushing him along, and trying to make him jump on 
me ; and Waddy Dean and John Allen Emerson gave him a pistol to 
shoot me with ; and then they said he wouldn't shoot. They came after 
me, and, as I turned the corner of the house, both of them shot at me. 

884. Question — Were you running when they fired? and if so, state 
how far they chased you. 

Answer — I was running ; chased me about a quarter of a mile. 

Joseph N. Vandiver, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

885. Question— Do you live in this County? and if so, state where, and 
how long you have lived there ; your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County ; five miles from tlie C-ourt House ; 
lived there all my life ; aged twenty-four, and am a farmer, and at the 
present time a IMagistrate. 

886. Question — Prior to the election did, or did not, Captain Wells, of 
Newberry, come to this place for the purpose of oi'gauizing a secret or- 
ganization styling themselves the Ku Klux Klan ? 

Answer — I do not know whether he did or not. 

887. Question — Did or did not Captain Wells desire you to join that 
band ? 

Answer — A man calling himself Wells named such a thing to me. I 
understood he came here for a difi'erent purpose. 

888. Question — Did or did not you join a company or organization 
known as the Ku Klux, which he organized? 

Answer — No ; I did'nt join any company or organization. 

889. Question — V\feve you not sworn in as a member of that organiza- 
tion at the late general election ? 

Answer — No. 

890. Question — Did you not state to some person or persons that you 
had been sworn in and was a member of such an organization at that 
time ? 

Answer — No. 

891. Question — AVere you or were you not aware there was such an or- 
ganization in this County a few months preceding the general election ? 

Answer — I was not. 

892. Question — Did you or did you not converse with one Captain 
Wells, of Newberry, on the subject of an organization of the Ku Klux 
Klan ? 

Answer — I did. 

893. Question — Please state the conversation you had with Captain 
Wells on that subject? 

Answer — He spoke to me of such an organization, and spoke of com- 



646 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



iug tlirougli tlii« country afterwads, and wanted to know if I tlioiight 
such a thing would take well in this country. I made him no satisfac- 
tory answer on that point. 

894. Question — Were you a member of either of the political parties 
during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — I considered myself as belonging to the Democratic party. 

895. Question — To the best of your knowledge, what was the condition 
of political affairs in this County during the Presidential campaign — ex- 
citing or otherwise ? 

Answer — I don't think it could be called exciting. I never saw any 
excitement. 

896. Question — Could a Republican have gone through this County 
Avith safety and made speeches in the interest of Grant and Colfax at 
that time ? 

Answer — In my opinion any Republican could have went through this 
County at that time and made speeches. 
Andrew Lockhart (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

897. Question — Do you live in this County? if so, state where and 
how long you have lived there ; your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County ; in Savannah Township ; fifteen miles 
from the Court House; lived in the vicinity all my life ; twenty-five years 
old, and am a farmer. 

898. Question — Did you vote at the late general election, November 
3, 1868? and if not, state the reason why. 

Answer — I did not vote, because I was afraid of being bushwhacked. 
I heard so many threats that I should have no work or home, and that 
the last one of the Radicals would be killed. 

899. Question — By whom were those threats made? 

Answer — William Holland, a white man, made a threat to me at the 
polls on election day. He came to me with a Democratic ticket, told me 
to take and vote it, and tried to force it on me. I told him I wouldn't 
do it, because I had voted the Radical ticket twice, and had said I 
wouldn't vote a Democratic ticket. 

900. Question — Did you not hear persons riding about at night, and 
considerable shooting a night or two prior to the election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

901. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You state you heard a good deal of 
riding and shooting about, the night or two prior to the election ; where 
were you when you heard that ? 

Answer — At home. 

902. Question — How far did you live from any road ? 
Answer — I lived right on the big road. 

903. Question — Did you hear them riding around the house, or along 
the road? 

Answer — Along the road. 

904. Question — Was it not customary for persons to ride along that 
road, at all times ? 

Answer — Yes ; but not customary to be shooting at that time of night. 

905. Question — How many shots did you hear fired during the two 
nights previous to the election ? 



THIRD CONGRESSONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 647 



Answer — I could hear it three or four times during the night, after 
one another, 

906. Question — Do you know who did that firing ? 
Answer — No. 

James Williford, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

907. Question — In what part of this County do you live ? 
Answer — About eleven miles from the Court House. 

908. Question — In what election precinct ? 
Answer — At McClinton*s. 

909. Question — Did you go to the poll on the day of the general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — Yes. 

910. Question — What did you go there for on that day ? 

Answer — I went there to a shop to get my wagon fixed, and I found 
the poll open. 

911. Question — Were they voting there that day? 

AnsAver — Yes ; the white people were voting ; there were no colored 
persons there, and no colored persons voted that day, that I know of. 

912. Question — Did you know that was the day of the election? 
Answer — Yes. 

913. Question — Did you have any intention to vote? 
Answer — Yes ; I wanted to vote. 

914. Question — Please state why you didn't vote, when you wanted to 
vote ? 

Answer — Because I was afraid of my life. 

915. Question — Did any person threaten you before that time ? 

Answer — Not to my face ; but the rumor was around the neighbor- 
hood, that any person Avho voted the Radical ticket might expect to 
leave their homes, or get hurt. 

916. Question — Was that a general rumor, prior to the election? 
Answer — Yes. 

917. Question — Did anybody give you anything to carry to any box 
in tliis County ? 

Answer — Yes. 

918. Question — What was it they gave to you? 
Answer — Two bundles of tickets. 

919. Question — Where were you to carry those tickets? 

Answer— One bundle to McClinton's box, and the other I sent to Mr. 
Holland's. 

920. Question — What kind of tickets Avere they — Democratic or Re- 
publican ? 

Answer — Republican tickets. 

921. Question — Did any of the Democratic party know you had those 
tickets ? 

Answer — No. 

922. Question — What did you do with those tickets ? 

Answer — I gave them to the Vice-President of the Rock Mill Council 
Union League, and told him to give them to the President. 

923. Question — Do you know whether any of those tickets reached the 
boxes ? 



648 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I dou't know. 

924. Question — Do you know of any person l)eing whipped, abused or 
beat, in any manner, in the settlement in which you live, prior to the 
general election, or on that day? 

Answer — No. 

925. Question — Did you ever see any person in the County that had 
been whipped on the day of, or before the election ? 

Ans^Yer — No. 

926. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You state that it was rumored 
around the neighborhood that any one who voted the Radical ticket 
might expect to leave their homes or get hurt. Was this rumor among 
the Avhite or black people ? 

Answer — The white people. 

927. Question — Did any white person ever tell you so ? 

Ansv/er — Not to me, personally, but around the neighborhood among 
us, 

928. Question — If they did not say it to you, how do you know they 
said it at all ? 

Answer — They said it in ray neighborhood, among my race. 

929. Question — How do you know they said it to the other people? 
Answer — They told me so. 

Franklin S. Morris (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

930. Question — In what part of the County do you live? 
Answer — Anderson Court House. 

Uol. Question — How long have you lived in this town? 

AnsAver — About four years 

932. Question — What is your occupation or profession ? . 

Answer — A preacher. 

933 Question — How long have been a preacher? 

Answer — About thirty-five years. 

934. Question — Do you know of any threats, intimidations or vio- 
lence of any kind, committed on any person prior to and at the general 
election, November 3, 1868, in Anderson County? 

Answer — I don't know of any, except that at the time I was preaching 
at Williamston, in a Church belonging to the white people, the use of 
which we had for al)Out eighteen months before, I was accused of voting the 
Radical ticket, and carrying handbills and Radical tickets to the colored 
people to influence them, and for this I was ordered not to enter the 
Church any more. 

935. Question — Did they say you should not enter the Church any 
more, or your congregation ? 

Answer — Both me and the congregation ; me especially ; but the con- 
gregation could remain if they would get a Democratic white man to 
preach to them. 

936. Question — Were the persons who gave you the notice the Trustees 
of the Church? 

AnsAver — They were. 

937. Question — What denomination is your congregation ? 
Answ^er — Baptist. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 649^ 



938. Questiou — Did your congregation accept the ofier of remaining 
with a Democratic white preacher? 

Answer — No ; they followed me. 

939. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Upon what conditions were the col- 
ored people allowed to occupy that Church? 

Answer — They told us we could go and worship in that house one Sun- 
day a month until we got able to build one of our own. 

940. Question — And what was the reason they gave the order not to 
use it any more ? 

Answer — Because they accused me of voting the Radical ticket, and 
carrying handbills and Radical tickets to the colored people to influence 
them. 

941. Question — Did you carry handbills and Radical tickets to your 
Church and distribute them among your congregation ? 

Answer — I did not. 

942. Question — Did you mak<; it appear to the Trustees of the Church 
that you did not carry handbills and tickets and distribute them to your 
congregation ? 

Answer — I did. 

943. Question (Mr. Mclntyre) — How did you make it api)ear? 
Answer — I proved to them who did carry them. 

Siineou Jenkins (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. JNIcIntyrc : 

944. Questiou — Do you live in this County ; where do you live , how 
long have you lived there ; your age and occupation ? 

Answer — I live in this County, in Dark Corner Precinct, twelve miles 
from Court House ; lived there about two years, sixty years old, and am 
a farmer. 

945. Question — Did you vote on the day of the last general election ? 
Answer— No. 

946. Question— Please state the reason why you did not vote. 
Answer — On account of threats that if Ave voted we couldn't have any 

homes, and that every man who voted the Radical ticket should not stay 
in the district ; so I thought if I couldn't vote the way I wanted to I would 
not vote at all. 

947. Question — Who made those threats ? 

Answer — The nrincipal man was Judge McGee. He talked to me, 
and said he understood I was a Radical ; I told him I was. He said 
" you can't vote here ; if you vote the Radical ticket, you will have to 
leave here." 

948. Question — Do you know anything of the shooting of a colored 
man named Daniel Jones, or any other man ? 

AnsAvci' — I know the man, but don't know the circumstances of the 
shooting. I know he was shot in the shoulder, but what for I can't tell. 

949. Question — Do you know of any other person being threatened be- 
fore or on the day of the general election ? 

Answer — No ; I have heard of others. 

On motion, at 7 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow at 
8 A. M. 



650 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Anderson C. H., S. C, August 27, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 8 A. M. 

A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

Dump Sherrard (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

950. Question — In what part of this County do you reside ? 
Answer — Moffatville. 

951. Question — How long have you lived there ? 
Answer — All my life. 

952. Question — How far is tliat from the Court House ? 
Answer — About fourteen miles. 

953. Question — Were you disturbed by any person prior to the elec- 
tion ? and, if so, state the circumstances connected with that disturbance. 

Answer — Yes ; I was taken on a Saturday night about midnight, and 
was whipped severely, so much so I could not work for some time, and 
they told me they Avhipped me because I attended the Union League. 
They also said they whipped me because I voted the Radical, and not the 
Democratic ticket. One of the men that whipped me lives in Georgia, 
named Gaines ; that Avas the only one I knew. They said if we didn't 
vote the Democratic ticket we should not stay there and Avork their land ; 
we would be whipped or killed. 

954. Question — Did you carry any tickets from here to be sent to any 
box? 

Answer — No. 

955. Question — Did any one ever give you Radical tickets to carry 
anywhere ? 

Answer — No. 

956. Question — Did you ever hear any shooting at night prior to the 
election ? 

Answer — Yes ; plenty of it about bed time, 

957. Question — Did you hear any shooting the night before they 
whipped you ? 

Answer — Yes. 

958. Question — Were the men, who came to your house and took you 
out and w]iip})ed you, disguised in any way ? 

Answer — They were wrapped in white sheets ; they had on false faces. 

959. Question — How did you recognize this man Gaines, from Georgia, 
if he was disguised ? 

Answer — From his build and his hair ; I had seen him before. 

960. Question — Did you hear him speak that night ? 
Answer — Yes; and I knew him by his voice, 

961. Question — -Do you know of any other person, in j'our neigh bor- 
iiood, whii^ped or abused prior to the election ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 651 



Answer — Daniel Jones was shot ; I saw him on Sunday ; he was shot 
on a Saturday night ; he was shot in tlie arm and side. 

962. Question — Did he tell you what they shot him for ? 
Answer — No ; he was in so much misery, I didn't ask him. 

963. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You stated the reason you voted the 
Democratic ticket, was because they wouldn't let you vote any other 
ticket. AVho wouldn't let you vote any other ticket ? 

Answer — Mr. McGee and Mr. Cook. 

964. Question — Who told you, if you didn't vote the Democratic ticket, 
you shouldn't work their lands, and would all be killed up ? 

Answer — Mr. McGee and Mr. Cook, and all in the settlement. 

965. Question — Was Daniel Jones a Democrat or Republican ? 
Answer — A Republican. 

986- Question — How do you know he was a Republican ? 
Answer — He told me so. 

967. Question — Did you ever meet him in the Union League ? 
Answer — Yes ; he attended it. 

968. Question — How long was it before he was shot that you met him 
in the Union League ? 

Answer — One week previously. 

969. Question — Do you know whether he was shot on account of poli- 
tical principles or not ? 

Answer — I do not know. 

970. Question — What does general rumor say he Avas shot for ? 
Answer — Because he attended the Union League. 

971. Question (by Mr. Mclutyre) — State the tlireateuing language 
]\IcGee used to you on the day of election. 

Answer — He said there should not be any but a Democratic ticket 
polled there that day, or the man (white or black) would go up ; that we 
shouldn't stay in that country and vote against them. 

972. Question — At the time they took you out and whipped you, did 
tliey make you promise anything ? 

Answer — They made me promise I would be a Democrat ; I had to 
promise that, or they would have killed me. 

978. Q.uestion — On the day of election were the colored men generally 
afraid to vote? 

Answer — Yes. 

974. Question — Please state Avhy they Avere afraid to vote. 

Answer — The threats tliose men had made Avere the reason the l)lacks 
Avere afraid to vote any ticket ])ut the Democratic. 

975. (Question — How did you know those colored men Avere afi-aid to 
vote ? Did they tell you so ? 

AnsAver — Yes. 

976. Question — On the day of election, Avhen McGee, and others of liis 
stamp, made those threats you speak of, did they speak in a sufficiently 
loud tone for all the colored men about there to hear them ? 

Answei* — Yes. 

977. Question — Were they speaking parficulnrly to you, or lo all tlic 
colored mcii ? 

Answer — To all the colored men. 

82 



G52 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Frazer Copelaud, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

978. Question — Do you live in this County ? If so, state where ; how 
long you have lived there ; your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County, in Slabtown, in Greenwood election 
precinct ; lived there all my life ; thirty-one years old, and am a farmer 
and blacksmith. 

979. Question — Did you vote on the day of the last general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

980. Question — Did any person threaten you prior to, or on, that 
day ? If so, state. 

Answer— Yes ; Mr. Williams told me if I voted I should not stay on 
his land. I voted, and then he told me, as I had, I should not remain 
there. The day before the election, I had the Radical tickets. I went 
to Greenwood, distributed them among the colored people there, and in 
the evening, while returning towards home, and when within two miles 
of home, I was shot at five times by unknown persons. I went, however, 
the next day, and voted, but they talked so hard to me, I soon left the 
p'oll. I then came to the Court House, and stayed a Aveek, Before the 
election, they put a coffin at my door, and told me if I didn't leave off 
voting the Radical ticket that should be my doom ; that is what was 
Avritten on the coffin. 

981.' Question — Whose lauds were you working at that time? 

Answer — Mr. McBerry Williams. 

982. Question — Did he turn you ofl' after you had voted ? 

Answer — He didn't tell me to go after I voted, but told me before, I 
should not work his lands. 

983. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you see the men who fired those 
five shots at you ? 

Answer — Yes ; but I was not near enough to them to know who they 
were. 

984. Question— How many fired ? 
Answ^er — Five. 

985. Question — How far were they from you when they fired ? 
Answer — A little over one hundred yards. 

986. Question— How do you know they fired at you ? 

Answer — Some of the balls came close to me, and they hallooed to mc 
to halt. 

987. Question — Did Mr. Williams, the man with whom you lived 
before the election, tell you that you would have to leave immediately, or 
you should not live on his lands another year ? 

Answer — He didn't tell me I should leave immediately, but that I 
should not live on his lands another year, if I voted the Radical ticket. 

Henry Garrison sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

988. Question — Do you live in this County; where and how long have 
you lived there, your age and occupation? 

I live in tliis County ; at Anderson Court House ; lived here all my 
life ; forty-four years old, and am a painter. 

989. Question — Did, or did not, certain parties come to you, immedi- 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 653 



ately preceding the late general election, for the purpose of persuading 
you to join a secret organization, known as the Ku Klux Klan ? 

Answer — Yes ; some time last year. There were a great many who be 
lieved, and so did I, (although I was a Democrat) that he was a spy, sent 
up here to get many of us in a hobble, and, for curiosity, I went up, with 
others ; I got what signs and fooleries he can ied with him ; I never 
thought of it a week afterwards, so far as the signs were concerned ; 
there was an obligation in it, but I don't recollect it. If I were to see the 
signs now, I wouldn't recognize them, as I paid no attention to them. 

990. Question — How many degrees were given you ? 

Answer — There were no degrees ; I received nothing but signs and 
grips. 

991. Question — What were the objects or intentions of that organiza- 
tion ? 

Answer — It "was said to be to get up a white man's government. 

992. Question — What Avere the names of the parties who gave you 
these grips and signs ? 

Answer — There was but one man, wliose name was Wells ; said to be 
from Newberry ; but afterwards I heard he was from Columbia. 

993. Question — About how many persons, besides yourself, were ini- 
tiated at that time ? 

Answer — No one at that time but myself. I heard of others who had 
gone in. 

99-1. Question — State exactly what they did with you from the first 
time you went in until you came out. 

Answer — The first thing was to offer me a drink of whisky. He then 
asked me if I had come up to join his society or club, (I don't recollect 
which.) I told him I had understood he was for a white man's govern- 
ment, and I said if that was his object, I was willing to go into a white 
man's government. He then asked me if I could keep secrets. I told 
him I belonged to the Masonic order, and had never divulged that, and 
I reckoned I could keep his. He then administered a short obligation, 
which I don't now recollect. He then gave me the grips. 

995. Question — Do you recollect the grips ? 

Answer — No ; the only thing else done Avas, he took an envelope, (I 
think an empty envelope ;) I AA'rote my name on the back, as though 
somebody Avas addressing me. He told me that he Avas a forerunner, 
taking names, and not initiating, and that even after the names Avere 
taken they had a right to refuse or go in, as they chose, and that there 
would be a party after a Avhile along to organize. 

996. Question — About hoAV long did Captain Wells remain in this 
place ? 

Answer — Possibly a month. 

997. Question — Do you know Avhether he initiated many others at this 
place ? 

Answer — I do not knoAV. 

998. Question — HaA'e you seen Captain Wells since that time ? 
AnsAver — No ; I heard from him once afterward in Newberry. It Avas 

stated to me he was the character I took him to be — a man of no account 
and a gambler. 

999. Question — Did he charge you anything for initiating you ? 
Answer — No ; not a cent. 



654 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Sanford Vandever, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examinatiou by Mr. Smalls : 

1000. Question — lu wliat part of the County do you live ? 
Answer — The Dark Corner, eighteen miles from the court house. 

1001. Question — How long have you lived there ? 
Answer — All my life. 

1002. Question — Do you know of any disturbances, intimidations, or 
any kind of violence used, prior to the general election, or on tlie day of 
election, whereby any person was prevented from voting as he please d ? 
if so, state. 

Answer — Yes, I do. I was informed that if I voted a Radical ticket 
I should not leave the box a live man. I said if I couldn't get to vote 
the way I wanted to, I would not go. My brother came after me, and 
told me if I didn't go I Avould run the risk of my life ; so I tliought bet- 
ter than to be parted from my family I would go and vote. 

lOOo. Question — Did you vote? 

Answer — I did. 

1004. Question — AVhat ticket did you vote ? 

Answer — The Democratic ticket. I had always before voted tlie Rad- 
ical ticket. 

100.'"). Question — Was it your desire to vote the Democratic ticket on 
that day ? 

Answer — It was not. 

1006 Question — Was it on account of the threats you heard that you 
voted the Democratic ticket? 

Answer — Yes. 

1007. Question — Do you know of any other colored man, m your set- 
tlement, who voted the Democratic ticket on account of fear ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1008. Question — How do you know so ? 
Answer — They told me themselves. 

1009. Question — When you went to the poll to vote, were tliere many 
Avhite men at the poll ? 

Answer — Yes ; I went late in the evening, and was almost the last 
one voting. 

1010. Question — Were those white men at the poll armed? 
Answer— I did not notice ; I was angry at being forced to vote so, and 

just voted and left. 

1011. Question — Did any of the men at the poll ask to see your 
ticket ? 

Answer — No ; but told me, if I didn't vote with them, I might not 
leave the box alive. 

1012. Question — Was the ticket sent to you ? or did you get it at the 
poll? 

Answer — I got it at the poll. 

1013. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Where were you Avhen your brother 
came after you ? 

Answer — In the field at work. 

1014. Question — What did he say to you? 

Answer — He said, if I didn't go and vote a Democratic ticket, I would 
run the risk of my life. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRI8TICT, S. C. 655 



1015. Question — Was your brother a Democrat or Eadical ? 
Answer — A Radical ; but he was beat until he iiroiuiscd to be a Demo- 
crat. 

E. I. Pinsou, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyrc : 

1016. Question — Do you live in this County? How long have you 
lived here? Your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County, at Williamston ; lived there since Jan- 
nary, 1866 ; 49 years ; and am a silversmith. 

1017. Question — Were you a manager of election the od of November 
last? and, if so, at what poll? 

Answer — Yes ; at AVilliamston. 

1018. Question — Was the election carried on in strict conformity to 
law ? 

Answer — As near as we could understand it ; I was very particular in 
trying to get everything right ? 

1019. Question — Did you see any person on that da}'- prevented from 
voting as he desired. 

Answer — Not that I know of; some persons presented themselves to 
vole, but, as they were not registered, they were not allowed to vote. 
There were men there taking down the names of those voting the Radical 
ticket, and said that such as those who voted the Radical ticket should 
receive no employment, or words to that effect. Those persons Avere in 
the house, where the Managers were, and outside. My understanding of 
the thing was, that they were taking the names of those voting the 
Radical ticket, so as not to give them employment afterwards. A man 
told me since that that was their object, and he had refused to enter in 
with them or have anything to do with them. I don't know but what 
every man who presented himself, and was duly qualified, voted as he 
desired. 

1020. Question — Were there or were there not some colored persons, 
who came to the poll for the purpose of voting, who went away without 
voting after they found those persons you speak of taking the names of 
those who voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

1021. Question — Do yon know the names of those voting who voted 
the Republican ticket? and, if so, state. 

Answer — Yes ; Dr. H. J. Epking, Samuel Davenport, and, I think, 
Austin Clemens, and others whose names I do not recollect. 

1022. Question — Did you canvass the votes the evening of the day of 
election? and, if so, publicly or privately? 

Answer — Canvassed the same day, in the evening, publicly. 

1023. Question — About how many persons were present ? and, if so, 
were they all white ? 

Answer — I can't say how many persons were present ; there Avere seve- 
ral in the room ; I am not certain whether any colored persons were 
present or not. 

1024. Question — About how many votes W'Cre polled ? 
Answer — I don't remember now. 



656 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1025. Question — To the best of your recollection, how many Demo- 
cratic votes were polled ? 

Answer — Between one hundred and sixty and two hundred, I think. 

1026. Question — About how many Republican votes were polled? 
Answer — About twelve or fifteen. 

1027. Question — About how many colored persons voted on that day ? 
Answer — I can't say ; but I am certain not as many as had usually 

voted. 

1028. Question — Were you one of the Registrars prior to the election? 
Answer — Yes. 

1029. Question — About how many colored men did you have regis- 
tered ? 

Answer — I don't recollect now. 

1030. Question — Did you belong to either of the political parties du- 
ring the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — I belonged to the Republican party. 

1031. Question — Was it or was it not generally rumored in William- 
ston that there was a band of men styling themselves bushwhackers or 
Ku Klux going about the country for the purpose of intimidating, 
threatening and shooting persons who professed Republican sentiments. 

Answer — There is no doubt of that fact ; that is beyond question. 
(Witness here exhibited a pasteboard coffin with a Republican State 
ticket appended, and marked " K. K. K is about ;" also, coffin lid, with 
"K. K. K., E. I. Pinson, ere two wrecks;" also, letter directed to Elvin 
Pinson, or Jack Scott, colored, Williamston, S. C, containing a note no- 
tifying him his conduct had been reported to headquarters as obnoxious, 
and would not be tolerated, and threatening to put him two feet under 
ground ) The miniature cofiin was left at my gate the night before the 
County election, 2d and 3d of June, 1868; the letter I received through 
the post office. 

1032 Question — With your knowledge of the general political condi- 
tion of this County, do you consider that members of the Republican 
party, particularly the colored men, had a fair opportunity to exj)ress 
their true political sentiments at the polls at the State and Presidential 
elections. 

Mr. Bryant — I object to the question. 

Witness — I don't know that I could say they had. I know threats 
were made. I was threatened and had to lay on my arms for twelve 
months. 

1033. Question — To the best of your knowledge, would it have been 
safe for any person to have made public speeches in the interest of Grant 
and Colfax during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — Towards the close of the campaign I don't think it would 
have been safe. I did not consider myself safe at any time then. 

1034. Question — Had you to resort to any unusual measures to pre- 
serve your life at that time? 

Answer — I had to defend myself with my gun ; they put a drunken 
man upon me ; he followed me up with a knife in his hand ojjen, and 
struck at me with it, and I, in defence, struck him with a stick. He had 
me sixty yards from the post office, where I had been to get my letters, 
after which I made my way on towards home, and he followed me up ; 



THIRD CONGEESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 657 



he got a fence rail — three men were engaged in this ; I am speaking of 
the principal — he made at me to strike me with the fence rail ; I shot at 
him twice before he desisted ; he then followed me to my house, and they 
prevailed on him to leave, which he did. 

1035. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — How do you know that there were 
persons at the poll at Williamston at the election, 3d November, 1868, 
taking down the names of persons voting the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — I saw them. 

1036. Question — Were they near enough to the ballot box, at which 
you were sitting as Manager, to enable you to see them write down the 
names ? 

Answer — I did not see them writing down the names, but they stood in 
the door and almost in the room, and those who had Radical tickets they 
were taking notes of. 

1037. Question — Do you know, of your own knowledge, that they were 
taking down the names of those who were voting the Rejiublican ticket, 
or did you just simply hear so? 

Answer — I heard them say so ; no supposition about it ; and they 
expressed themselves that they took them for the purpose of not giving 
them emplo3^ment. 

1038. Question — Whom did you hear say that they were taking down 
the names of those voting the Re.pul>lican ticket for the purpose of not 
giving them employment ? 

Answer — Dr. Eptiug was one. 

1039. Question — What means did Dr. Eptiug have of knowing who 
voted the Republican ticket ? 

Answer — He could see the tickets they had in their hands. 

1040. Question — Were the tickets of persons voting presented folded 
or open. 

Answer — Folded. 

1041. Question — Well, then, Dr. Epting could not have seen the ticket 
of any person without he had shov/n it to him. 

Answer — He could know by tlie color; it had a blue tinge about it. 

1042 Question — You said they put a drunken man upon you ; whom 
do you mean when you say " they ? '' 

Answer — I mean a portion of the citizens of the incorporation of 
Williamston, who put this fellow upon me to abuse me. 

1043- Question — Give the names of those persons? 

Answer — I don't know that I could tell you positively now who they 
were. 

1044. Question — Do you know, of your own knowledge, that any per- 
son was urging this man on ? 

Answer — I don't know further than John Cason and Riley Flemming 
and Samuel Davenport were. I am positive they were. 

1045. Question — What did you hear these three men that you have 
spoken of, say to this drunken man, to encourage him ? 

Answer — I cannot repeat the words, but they were urging and follow- 
ing him up to me; they followed 250 yards from the Post Ortice, where I 
went to attend to my legitimate business and pester no one. 

1046. Question — How do you know that these three men were follow- 
ing you up, for the purpose of urging him to abuse you ? 



658 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — I know tliey were following up in his company, and followed 
me 250 yards. 

1047. Question — How far were these three men standing from you, 
when this drunken man assaulted you ? 

Answer — From ten to twenty feet. 

1048. Question — Was there any disturbance at or near the poll on 
Novembers, 1868? 

Answer — No. 

1049. Question — Was there, to your knowledge, any person driven 
from the poll on that day ? 

Answer — No. 

1050. Question — Was there, to your knowledge, any legal voter of 
Anderson County prevented, by violence or by any other illegal or unfair 
means, from going to the election on 3d November, 1868 ? 

Answer — No. 

1051. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Did or did not a party of men, 
who were represented as bushwhackers or Ku Klux, burn the colored 
people's church at Williamstou ? 

Answer — There was a house burned that the colored people were putting 
up as a school house, but by whom I don't know. 

1052. Question — Did general rumor say that a party represented as 
Ku Klux rode very often to the village of Wiliiamston, making consider- 
able noise, and disturbing the public peace by fb'ing off pistols and guns ? 

Answer — Yes. 

Jesse Pickrell, sworn. 

Direct examination of Mr. Mclntyre : 

1053. Question — Do you live in this County? if so, state where and 
how long you have lived there ? your age and occupation ? 

Answer — At j)resent I do not live in this County ; I live at Green- 
ville. I went to Greenville from Wiliiamston, in this County, latter part 
of April of this year. I resided in Anderson since 1865; 56 years old, 
and am a watchmaker. 

1054. Question — Do you know of any outrages or threats committed 
during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — I do not know positively, but I know I was scared, for I 
thought ray life was in danger for several weeks before the election, from 
hints thrown me, but no person attacked me personally. I know there 
was a good deal of rumor around that I, as a Kegistrar, was in danger, 
and was told that I must l)e careful how I went about, I was refused 
house-room at Calhoun, where I had conducted Registering and elections 
before. My action in these cases so incensed the peo})le they would not 
let me stop all night, and I had to walk on to get shelter, I was told the 
reason was tliat they didn't like my politics. 

1055. Question — When did this occur ? 

Answer — A while previous to the Presidential election. I was going 
round repairing clocks, as I could get no work in Wiliiamston, and had to 
go away where I was not known politically. 

1056. Question — To which of the political parties did you belong ? 
Answer — I always declared I didn't fully belong to eitlier party. I was 

decidedly more in favor of the Reconstruction Acts than the opposite, 
and was a})p(>inted a Regi.strar, as I had not been a Secessionist, and could 
take the oath : on account of this 1 was called a Radical. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 659 



1057. Question — Please state whether a general system of intimidation 
and actual violence was practiced throughout this County against mem- 
bers of the Republican party ? 

Answer — I can't say it was actually practiced, but commonly threat- 
ened ; intimidation was usually practiced against Republicans. 

1058. Question — Did general rumor say that the leaders of the Dem- 
ocratic party were engaged in making these threats ? 

Answer — I can't say the leaders were, but the whole party seemed to 
go that way ; it was the common talk over the country. 

1059. Question — Were you a Commissioner of Elections for this 
County at the Presidential election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1060. Question — Whilst acting in the capacity of Commissioner were 
you ever threatened, or anything said to you calculated to interfere with 
you in the discharge of your duty ? 

Answer — I came to Anderson Court House, by understanding, with the 
other two Commissioners, and it happened to be tlie day Judge Hoge 
made a s])eech here, and I considered it wouldn't be safe to go to the ho- 
tel, and I stopped with John R. Cochran that night. We did nothing 
that day, on account of the speaking, and next day were to attend to bu- 
siness, (the appointing of Managers.) After supper we received word 
we were to be attacked that night — that is. Judge Hoge and Coch- 
ran, (I don't think it was known I was tliere,) and upon consultation we 
thought it best to leave, and we left and went to Williamston. By ap- 
pointment I came back on Monday, and on leaving here in the aftei-noou 
(after completing business) I believe I was pursued by persons from this 
place, and hid out that night until daylight before I resumed my journey, 
and whilst hiding I heard many persons passing on horseback and on 
foot during the night until 2 o'clock, and then suddenly ceased. From 
surrounding circumstances, I was satisfied they were after me to do me 
harm. 

1061- Question — Did, or did not, a party of men, represented as bush- 
whackers or Ku Klux, burn the colored people's school house at Wil- 
liamston ? 

Answer — The school house was burnt, and some of the black men said 
they knew some of the parties, and that they were citizens of Williams- 
ton. 

1062. Question — Was there, or was there not, considerable riding 
about and firing of guns at Williamston a night or two previous to the 
general election ? 

Answer — For several nights there was much firing of guns and pistols, 
but about the riding I don't know much. On Sunday night before the 
election, five or six men (as I saw them by moonlight, clad in white, the 
habiliments of Ku Klux) passed ray gate twice, but didn't halt ; but I 
understood tliey went on to some black men's houses and ordered them 
to leave. I saw them between 11 and 12 o'clock at night. 

1063. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Did you assist in appointing the 
Managers of Election for Anderson County ? 

Answer — I was appointed to assist, but before I reached here the other 
two members of the commission got near through the job. 

83 



660 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



106 i. Question — Are a majority of the Managers of Election in An- 
derson County Republicans or Democrats ? 
Answer — I can't answer definitely. 

1065. Question — Were a majority of the Commissioners of Election 
in Anderson County Republicans or "Democrats ? 

Answer — I take it that John R. Cochran is Republican, Jesse W. 
Norris a Democrat, and Jesse Pickerell rather a Republican than a 
Democrat. 

1066. Question — What time of night was it that Mr. Cochran came 
into his house, and said you Avere to be attacked ? 

Answer — A while after dark. 

1067. Question — Did he state how he got his information? 
Answer — He did. 

1068. Question — What was his statement ? 
Answer — He said the colored people said so. 

1069. Question — What time did you leave Mr. Cochran's for Wil- 
liamston ? 

Answer — ^At an early hour in the night. 

1070. Who were in the party that left ? 

Answer — John R. Cochran, Judge Hoge and myself. 

1071. Question — Did you go on foot? 
Answer — Yes. 

1072. Question — What is the distance from Anderson Court House to 
Williamston ? 

Answer— Fifteen miles. 

1073. Question — What time did you arrive at Williamston ? 
Answer — A while before day. 

] 074. Question — Did you travel the road, or through fields ? 
Answer — Both. 

1075. Question — Were you attacked on the road ? 
Answer — Not that I know of, that night. 

1076. Question — Did you see any demonstrations that night, tliat gave 
you any alarm, after you left ? 

Answer — No. 

1077. Question — At what place did you attend the election, Novem- 
ber 3, 18G^ ? 

Answer — I voted at Williamston. 

1078. Question — From what you saw, was the election conducted fairly, 
at Williamston? 

Answer — I was not there long, and did not see much ; but I did see 
what I thought was unfair ; there was a man who stood by, and when a 
black man voted, he took out a paper and pencil, and Avrote. 

1079. Question — Is that the only unfair thing you saw? 
Answer — Yes ; for I did not remain long there. 

lOSO. Question — Was there, to your knowledge, any legal voter, in 
Anderson County, kept, by violence, or any other illegal or unfair 
means, from going to the election, on 3d November, 1868, and voting as 
he desired ? 

Answer — Yes ; I was deterred from voting as I desired. I voted a 
Democratic ticket, out and out, against my will, because I thought it 
was tlie only way I. could save my life and get my goods and chattels 
from WilJiam.^ton. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 661 



1081. Question — Did auy person threaten you with violence previous 
to the election, if you did not vote the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — A man told me he didn't see any chancefor me to live, unless 
I joined the Democratic Club, and didn't know that that would save me, 
at that late date ; but I did not join the Club. He told me this as a friend, 
in giving me that caution. Another man came, on Monday morning, 
previous to the election on Tuesday, and told me, as a friend, that I had 
laetter go and vote the Democratic ticket. I told him I thought I would 
not vote. He told me 1 had better do it. 

108;:!. Question — Did any person, at any time previous to the general 
election, held on November 3, 1868, threaten you to your face with vio- 
lence, if you should not vote the Democratic ticket on the 3d November, 
1808? 

Answer — No. 

1083. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — From Avhat you have seen and 
heard,'and from the political excitement that existed during the Presi- 
dential campaign, would it have been safe for you to have voted other- 
wise than as you did ? 

Answer — To the best of my knowledge and belief, it would have been 
unsafe to have voted otherwise than as I did, or to have refused to vote 
at all. 

Daniel Greer (colored) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. IMcIntyre : 

lOSl. Question — Do you live in this County? If so, state where, and 
how long you have lived there ; your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County, at Williamston ; lived there for six- 
teen years ; forty-four years old, and am a ilirmer and bricklayer. 

1 085. Question — Did, or did not, a party of men come to your house 
prior to the general election ? and if so, state what they did. 

Answer — Yes ; six or eight men came there at midnight, and were 
disguised with white sheets ; so were their horses. They hailed me, and 
asked who lived there : and asked if I were not the Vice-President of the 
Union League. 1 told them no. They called for me ; but I didn't go 
out. They started off, and as they went, fired their pistols at my house. 
This occurred on Sunday night, before the election. They said, as they 
Avent, you v.ill hear from us on Tuesday night. 

1086. Question — Did you vote? 

Answer — Yes ; I voted the Democratic ticket 

1087. Question — State why you voted the Democratic ticket. 
Answer — I was afraid they would kill me, from the threats they made. 

I had a large family of children. 

1^88. Question — Was there not considerable firing and riding about 
Williamston a few nights preceding the geueral election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

Mattison Hawkins, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

lO'^O. Question — AVhere do you live? 

Answer — Two miles south of Belton. 

1090. Question — How long have you lived there ? 



662 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — About twenty years. 

1091. Question — -Do you know of any outrage committed on any per- 
son near Belton before the general election ? 

Answer — No. 

1092. Question — Did you vote on the day of election? 

Answer — Yes ; but a man told me, if I voted, that I should not stay 
on his place ; but, if I didn't vote, I should stay there as long as he 
owned the land and I lived. I voted, and he turned me off; his name 
was Ballard Deane. 

1093. Question — Some time prior to the election, did you hear much 
shooting at night in your neighborhood ? 

Answer — Some little. 

Hembry Sullivan, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1094. Question — Do you live in this County? if so, state where, and 
how long you have lived there, your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County — in the Dark Corner ; lived there five 
years ; thirty-two years old, and am a Farmer. 

1095. Question — Did you vote on the day of the general election ? 
Answer — Yes ; the Democratic ticket. 

1096 Question — State Avhy you voted the Democratic ticket ? 

Answer — I was forced to do so by threats, made by Democrats, that, 
if I didn't vote so, I would be turned out of my home, and perhaps 
killed. These threats were made on the day of election, and before. 

1097. Question — Who made those threats? 

Answer — I can't mention any particular individual, so many made 
them. 

1098. Question — Did you know anything in relation to the shooting of 
Daniel Jones ? 

Answer — No. 

Peter Brooks, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1099. Question — Do yeu live in this County ? if so, state where, how 
long you have lived there, your age, and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County — in Dark Corner ; lived at Holland's 
precinct at the time of the election ; lived there a year ; forty-six years 
old, and am a Farmer. 

1100. Question — Do you know of any threats or intimidations com- 
mitted at the general election ? 

Auswei- — Yes ; I was prevented from voting as I desired ; I voted a 
Democratic ticket. 

1101. Question — State why you voted the Democratic ticket when you 
didn't desire to do so? 

Answer — Men told me, if I didn't vote the Democratic ticket, I should 
not stay in the County. 

1102. Question — Who said that ? 

Answer — Mr. Stephen Livi)rt and Mr. Elias McGee. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 663 



W. R. Redmond, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1103. Question — Do you live in this County? if so, where ; and how 
long have you lived there ; your age and occupation ? 

Answer — I live in the County, six miles from Belton ; lived there more 
than a year; thirty-six years old, and am a Farmer. 

1104. Question — Did you vote at the general election? and, if so, what 
ticket? 

Answer — Yes ; the Radical ticket. 

1105. Question — Did any person threaten you prior to the election? if 
so, state. 

Answer — I was President of the Union League at Belton, and was 
threatened because I kept up the League. They said, if they killed me, 
they could break up the League. Dr. Carl Brown was one ; he didn't 
say he would do it, but that it would be done. Mr. Milton Elgins said I 
would be killed and the ])lace I lived at be destroyed by fire. 

1106. Question — On the day of election -svere you threatened? 
Answer — Yes; at Calhoun, Major Dugan said to others, in my presence, 

if they could get me out of the way they could carry the election at Bel- 
ton and Calhoun. 

1107. Question — Were you turned oft' for voting the Radical ticket? 
Answer — I was ; by Cyrus Roberts ; from his place. I was told by 

Mr. John Cox that Mr Cochran and other leading Republicans would 
be killed, and he would go and help kill such a man as Cochran at any 
time. 

Adam Waites (colored) sw^orn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1108. Question — Do you live in this County? if so, state where and 
how long you have lived there, your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County ; at Pendleton ; lived there for five 
years ; forty-six years old, and am a wagoner. 

1100. Question — Were you at the polls at Pendleton at the late gene- 
ral election ? and if so, what did you observe there ? 

Answer — I was distributing Radical tickets. Mr. Sutton, Henry Rob- 
inson and other white men tried to run me away from the polls ; tliey 
wanted me to put the tickets away, and for me to go away, but I would 
not ; they said I ought to be killed. I know a great many men belong- 
ing to my Council, Union League, who were afraid to go and vote, and 
also, some voted the Democratic ticket from fear. 

On motion, at 1 P. M , the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M., and pro- 
ceeded to business. 

Nathan McAllister, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1110. Question — Do you live in this County? if so, state where and 
how long you have lived there, your age and occupation. 



664 INVESTIGATING COMBUTTEE, 

Answer — I live iu this County ; in Miiford precinct ; lived there 
nearly all my life ; sixty years old, and am a farmer. 

11 il. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed in this 
County during the six months preceding the late general election, or at 
the election ? and if so, state. 

Answer — Yes ; one night last fall (there was a circus in town) I was 
going from this place in a buggy witli my wife to go home, (ten miles.) 
Two miles from the Court Hou.se we passed a pai'ty of three white men 
sitting on horses b}^ the wayside. After we passed them, one of the white 
men commenced cursing me for a d — d Radical and al)using me ; he fol- 
lowed me half a mile, going on in the same sti'ain ; the others riding 
on behind. He then i-ode up beside my buggy and demanded my money, 
(the moon was shining brightly.) I told him he could not get it; he said 
I'll be d — d if I don't have it if I have to follow you home ; I looked 
him in the face when he rode up ; I had no arms ; I didn't know the 
person, but I asked a young man riding on the left of me who he was ; 
he said Bill Shamlcy ; we went on down the road and found there was a 
party before us ; they stopped, and were hallooing and cursing Radicals, 
and tiling off their pistols ; they surrounded my buggy, some in front and 
some in rear, and commenced firing their pistols ; my hoi'se became un- 
manageable and I jumped out and caught him, and caused my wife to 
jump out also ; my wife begged me to turn back, as they seemed deter- 
mined to kill me ; I managed to get my horse turned, and my wife and 
self walked a mile, as the noise of hallooing and liiing the pistols so 
frightened my horse we dared not get in the buggy ; I finally got back 
to Squire Norris', and stayed all night. The next morning as we went 
home we saw where a fire had been made up on the side of the road 
where the}'^ had been. 

1112. Question — From your knowledge, what was the condition of 
political affairs during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — It was very bad ; everything that could be done was done to 
intimidate the colored people (by the Democrats,) and prevent them from 
voting the Radical ticket. 

1113. Question — State whether there was or was not, a general rumor 
in your settlement that there was a band of men styling themselves as 
bushwhackers or Ku Klux ? 

Answer — Yes ; the night before the election they tore up a negro house 
(four miles from my house) and drove away the negroes, and the negroes 
never did come back. They and their horses were disguised. This was 
at Emerson's place. 

1114. Question — State, from your knowledge, whether the Republicans 
had a fair vote at the general election? 

Answer — From my knowledge and observation, they did not. 

1115. Question — Would it have been safe for a person to have ex- 
pressed his sentiments or made Republican speeches in your settle- 
ment ? 

Answer — Judging from the threats, it would not have been safe. 

James M. Smith, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1116. Question — Do you live in this County ? if so, state where, and 
how long you have lived there ; your age and occupation ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRISTICT, S. C. 665 



Answer — I live in this County, five miles from Anderson Court House ; 
lived there nearly all my life ; 26 years old ; and am a farmer. 

1117. Question — State if there existed in this County an organization, 
styling itself the Ku Kux Klan, during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — There was not, to my knowledge. 

1118. Question — Did you not become acquainted with one Capt. Wells, 
of Newberry ? and if so, did he not try to persuade you to join an 
organization of the Kux Klux ? 

Answer — He did. 

1119. Question — Did you not join it at the hotel in this place ? 
Answer — If you call it joining, I did. 

1120. Question — Please give us a statement how you became acquainted 
with Capt. Wells, the conversation you had upon the subject of the 
Ku Klux, and the manner in which you were initiated? 

Answer — I met him at the hotel in this place ; I was introduced to him 
by a young man, (I don't recollect who,) afterwards he asked me to take 
a drink witli him, which I did, and then went to his room. He asked if 
I knew anything of an organization of Ku Klux. I told him I did not. 
He asked me if I Avished to join them. I told him I did not. He asked 
me several questions in regard to things that had passed in the district, 
which I knew nothing about. He then proposed to make me a Ku Klux. 
He asked me to raise my right hand, and to disclose no secrets ; that was 
the oath ; no pass- word, signs or grips were given me. 

1121. Question — After taking that oath, did you consider yourself one 
of the Ku Klux? 

Answer — I did not. 

1122. Question — Did he not state to you that the oath you took on 
that occasion was only a preparatory step, and that there would be others 
who would come to tliis place, to give a full initiation into that organiza- 
tion ? 

Answer — He did not. 

1123. Question — Did you not learn the objects and intentions of Capt. 
Wells? 

Answer — I did not. 

1124. Question — Why did you take the oath he dictated ? 
Answer — It was for personal protection, 

1125. Question — You state you took the oath for the purpose of per- 
sonal protection — personal protection from whom ? 

Answer — Different parties in the County. 

1126. Question — To what party do you allude? 
Answer — The Radical party. 

1127. Question — About how long did Captain ^Vells remain at this 
place ? 

Answer — About three or four weeks. 

1128. Question — Do you know whether he initiated any other citizen 
in this place ? 

Answer — No ; I was not present at the initiation of any other party. 

1129. Question — You stated that you took the oath for personal pro- 
tection against the Radical party. What had you to fear from the Radi- 
cal party ? 

Answer — I had to fear what every good man had to fear in the State — 
my life. 



666 INVESTIGATINa COMMITTEE, 



1130. Question — Did any Radical at any time threaten to take your 
life? 

Answer — Never. 

1131. Question — Then, why were you afraid? 

Answer — As a general thing, they had threatened the lives of' Demo- 
crats generally ? 

1132. Question — State the name of a single Radical that threatened 
the life of a Democrat. 

Answer — Eiias Kennedy caused Democrats to be killed. 

1133. Question — How do you know that? 

Answer — I have heard it said by responsible men ; I can't name them 
now. 

1131. Question — Where is Kennedy at this time? 

Answer — He is dead ; was killed in Georgia. 

1135. Question — How do you know he was killed in Georgia ? 

Answer — He was brought from Georgia and buried liere. 

1186. Question — To what political party did you belong during the 
Presidential campaign ? 

AnsAver — Democratic party. 

John Wesley Sherrard, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr Smalls : 

1137. Question — Do you live in this County ? if so, state where and 
how long, your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County, near Holland's store; have lived there 
for two years ; 46 years old, and am a farmer. 

1138. Question — Did you go the poll to vote on the day of the general 
election ? 

Answer — I did, and was made to vote the Democratic ticket against 
my will. 

1139. Question — Who made you do so ? 

Answer — Thomas Holland and Wm. Holland, and the rest of the 
white men standing at tlie poll ; they said if I didn't vote the Democratic 
ticket I might possibly lose my life. 

1140. Question — Was any person shot at that poll on the day of elec- 
tion, or prior thereto ? 

Answer — Yes ; before the election Henry Holland, a colored man, was 
shot in the thigh ; and men were shooting around at night continually. 

1141. Question — Were you ever threatened ? 

Answer — When I went to the jioU to vote they told me I need not ex- 
pect to vote a Radical ticket, as one should not be voted there that day, 
and that if I went away without voting 1 should be bushwhacked, and 
that I should be turned out of the County and have no home. 1 then 
saw I Avould have to vote the Democratic ticket, and did so, but I did 
not want to do it. 

Harriett Freeman, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by I\rr. Smalls : 

1142. Question— In what part of this County do you live? 
Answer — About one and a half miles from the court house, now. 

1143. Question — Do you now live where you did at the time of the 
Presidential election ? 



THIRD CONGRESSONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 667 



Answer — No ; I lived then five miles from the court house, on Mr. 
Alfred Neili's place. 

1144. Question — How long did you live there ? 
Answer — About two years. 

1145. Question — While living there, do you know of any pereon be- 
ing threatened, whipped or abused in any manner ? 

Answer — Yes ; I was whipped. 

1146. Question — Please state the circumstances connected with the 
whipping of yourself 

Answer — About 11 o'clock one Saturday night prior to the election 
five white men came to my house, broke open the door, came in, cursed 
my husband, and took my husband, my niece and myself out of the 
house. They knocked my husband down, struck me on the side of the 
head Avith a pistol, and beat my niece, and drove my niece and myself a 
quarter of a mile from the house, and told us if we didn't leave before 
Sunday night they would kill us. They stripped us naked, and whipped 
us with a leather strap. They gave us both nearly one hundred lashes, 

and told us, while whipping us, that they would have no d d Radical 

men or women about there. They told us to go back and tell the white 
people at the house that if they didn't leave with us they would kill them 
before Saturday night. After they whipped us they told us to run, and 
we did, and they tired at us. We left, and didn't return for a long time. 

1147. Question— Were those men disguised? 

Answer — Yes; had their faces blacked. It came off on our clothing. 

Louisa Edwards, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1148. Question — In what part of the County did you live prior to the 
general election ? 

Answer — On Alfred Neill's place, six miles from the couit house. 

1149. Question — Were you ever abused or disturbed prior to the elec- 
tion ? if so, state all the circumstances attending. 

Answer — Yes; one Saturday night, about 11 o'clock, after finishing 
ironing, I was lying on a bed. Five men came to the house, bi-oke open 
the door, came in and knocked down Joe Freeman. I ran to get under 
the bed, but they caught me and took me out ; also, my aunt. They 
tore off our clothes, and whipped us with a leather strap ; gave me one 
hundred lashes ; took us way on top of a hill ; whipped \is up there ; 
made us run down the hill, and shot at us. They cursed us, and told us 
t) leave the country. They said they didn't want any G — d d — d 
Radical men or women about there. They said if we reraaiued'until 
Sunday night they would kill us. They told us to tell the white people 
at the house to leave before Sunday night, or they would kill them. 

Joseph Freeman, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1150. Question — 'In what part of the County did you reside prior to 
the general election ? 

Answer — At Alfred Neill's, six miles from the court house. 

1151. Question — Were you and your family disturbed prior t(^ the 
election ? if so, state the circumstances attending. 

84 



668 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes ; one Saturday night, about 11 o'clock, five men came 
to my door, and hallooed, and told me to open the door. I asked who 
they were They said, " Never mind, but get up and open the door" 
I told them to wait until I struck a light. They said, " Never mind." 
I got up and struck a light, and, as I got the light, one of them broke 
down the door, and two ran into my house, and stamped out the fire on 
the hearth, and took hold of me, and tried to pitch me out of the door. 
When I got to the door they struck me twice with a gun, and knocked 
me down, and hurt me severely. I was stunned by the blows. After 

awhile I got up, and I heard them say they wanted all d d Radicals 

to leave there. I ran off", and went to the next neighbor's house, and 
tuld them about it. He said he didn't know anything about it, and 
couldn't help me. 

1152. Question — Was your family in the house at the time? 
Answer — Yes. 

1153. Question — Did they trouble your family? 

Answer — The next day, my wife and niece were bruised and scarred 
so much, they could scarcely move. They told me the men had beaten 
them. 

1154. Question — When you ran, and went to the next neighbor's 
house, could you hear any noise ? 

Answer — Yes ; I could hear noise, like my wife and niece crying, and 
I heard the blows. 

1155.' Question — Did you know any of those five men? 

Answer — No ; for they were white men, and liad their faces blacked. 
They had straight hair. 

1156. Question — Did you vote on the day of the general election? 
Answer — Yes. 

1157. Question— What ticket? 
Answer — Radical ticket. 

1158. Question — Did any one attempt to prevent you from voting as 
you felt disposed ? 

Answer — Yes ; Alfred Neill said, that if I voted a Radical ticket, I 
might see the result afterwards, and said that Radicals couldn't stay on 
his premises. 

1159. Question — Do you know of any other person that was abused or 
whipped, prior to the election ? 

Answer — A colored man, named George Anderson, was whipped a few 
days before I moved to where I am now living. 

1160. Question — How do you know he Avas whipped ? 
Answer — I heard the blows, and heard his crying. 

1161. Question — Did you see him after he was whipped 'I 

Answer — Yes. He didn't show me any marks, but told me he was 
whipped. 

1162. Question — Did he tell you who did it, or what for? 
Answer — No. 

Mr. McIntyre — I object to the question, as mere hearsay. 
William Brown (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. McIntyre : 

1163. Question — Do you live in this County? If so, state where; your 
age and occupation. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 669 



Answer — I live in this Connty, six miles from the Court House ; resi- 
ded there since Christmas ; before that time, within one mile of Ander- 
son Court House ; am forty -seven years old, and am a farmer. 

1104. Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations or 
threats, committed prior to the general election ? 

Answer — I was living on Mr. Crawford Key's place, and he asked me 
to vote the Democratic ticket, and told me if I didn't, I should not stay 
on his land. I voted the Radical ticket, and he turned me off". 

Paul Moore (colored) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1165. Question — Do you live in this County? If so, state where, and 
how long ; your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County, eight miles from the Court House ; 
lived there about two years ; aged thirty-one years, and am a farmer. 

1166, Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations or 
threats committed during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — Last fall, three Avhite men came to my house, about ten 
o'clock ; hailed me, and broke open the door, and I ran under the house. 
They came in, and I heard them inquire for me. My wife told them I 
had gone off. They asked what party I belonged to. She told them I 
was a Radical. They told her to tell me to vote the Democratic ticket, 
and if I didn't, they would be in here a short time afterwards. They said 
there were Ku Klux going about straightening out Radicals. They 
made my wife raise her right hand, and swear she would be for the 
Democrats. I heard this while under the house. 

Q,uestion — How did you get under the house ? 

Answer — When I ran under the bed, I raised a plank, and got under. 
After that, I laid out at night for several weeks. 

1168. Question — Did you vote on the day of the late general election? 
if not, state the reason why. 

Answer — No ; the man I lived Avith (Mr Thomas Hanks) told me if 
I voted the Radical ticket I would be killed. 

Stewart Moore, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1169. Question — In what part of the County did you live prior to the 
general election ? 

Answer — In Anderson County, at Samuel Emerson's, ten miles from 
Anderson Court House, at Storrsville precinct 

1170. Question — How long did you live there prior to the election ? 
Answer — A year. 

1171. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed in your 
neighborhood prior to the election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1172. Question — State what you know. 

Answer — One Sunday night some men came to my house, threAV down 
the fence, came to my door, and told me to open it. I wouldn't, and 
they broke it down, and came in, took one of my children, threw" it in 
the fire, and choked one, and pulled my aunt out of the house by the 
leg, tore up my wife's thread, broke a spinning wheel. xVs I went out 



670 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



one grahhed me, but I got off, and loaded my gun, and shot at them, 
and my wife and chiki and aunt laid out in the cold all that night. 

1178. Question — Do you know the parties who came to your house 
that night ? 

Answer — Yes ; Stacy McCully, Frank McKinney and Bob Clink- 
scales. 

1174. Question — Were they disguised? 
Answer — No. 

1175. Question — Have they said anything to you since ? 
Answer — No. 

117G. Question — Have you ever seen any of that party since ? 
Answer — Yes ; saw McCully an hour ago, in the street here. 

1177. Question — Did you vote on the day of the general election ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1178. Question — Where did you vote ? 

Answer — Anderson Court House. I was registered here. 

1179. Question — Did any one attempt to prevent you from voting as 
you desired ? 

Answer — Yes ; Mr. Samuel Emerson came here where I was registered, 
and got a certificate, and wanted me to go to Storrsville and vote the 
Democratic ticket. I took the certificate, tore it up, and came here 
and voted. 

1180. Question — Do you know of any other outrages committed be- 
fore the election ? 

Answer — Yes ; I went to George Robinson's house one night, and saw 
his bed thrown down on the floor, and saw where he had been cut about 
the breast, and his wife's clothes torn up. 

1181. Question — Did he tell you who did it, and what for ? 
Mr. McIntyre — I object to the question as mere hearsay. 

Answer — No ; but he said they made him hold up his right hand and 
swear he would be a Democrat. 

Winnie Moore, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1182. Question — Did any person visit your house last fall prior to the 
election and disturb you in any manner? 

Answer — Yes. 

1183. Question — Please state the circumstances attending. 

Answer — They came to my house singing. They hailed my husband 
and told him to open the door. He refused, and they rode round and 
gave orders for the door to be burst open, and it was done. As they did 
so, my husband aimed to fire at them ; the cap failed to explode, and 
then they came in, and kicked and stamped my children, (one ten years 
old, and one eight, and one eleven,) and choked them with their knees, 
stamped the ten year old boy in the forehead with their boot heel, 
knocked him in the fire, threw my things out of my house, destroyed a 
great deal of homespun thread, said they had a good mind to kill every 
damned one of us, jerked a woman out of bed with a young baby only 
tw^o weeks old, attempted to throw the baby out of doors, but another 
stepped up and prevented him from doing it. (The child referred to by 
witness as having been thrown in the fire was brought before the Com- 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 671 



mittee, aud the scars from burns were plainly visible, disfiguring the 
childs's forehead, nose and lips.) I now live in town, because I am afraid 
to live in the country, as they have since said they would kill me for re- 
j)orting them, which I did not do. 

1184. Question — Did you know any of the parties? 

AnsAver — Yes ; Mr. Bob. Cliukscales first opened the door ; Mr. Stacy 
McCully was the man that choked my children and knocked my little 
boy in the fire, and caught hold of the baby and attempted to throw it 
out of the house; he was the one that did the principal damage in 
my house. 

L. C Braddy, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1185. Question — Do you live in this County? if so, state where, how 
long you have lived there, your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County ; at Anderson Court House ; lived here 
all my life; twenty-five years old, and am a farmer. 

1186. Question — Did yoii get acquainted with one Captain Wells, of 
Newberry County, during the Presidential campaign? if so, state in what 
manner you became acquainted with him. 

Answer — I became acquainted Avith him by an introduction. 

1187. Question — Did he not converse with you on the feasibility of 
organizing a society of the Ku Klux Klan ? 

Answer — Never spoke to me on that subject. 

1188. Question — Did not Captain Wells initiate you as a member of 
the Ku Klux at the hotel at Anderson Court House ? 

Answer — He did not ; I expect that he would if I had not found him 
out to be a humbug. 

1 189. Question — Did he not give you some signs, grips or pass words ? 
if so, state where and at what time. 

Answer— He gave me a grip ; tickled the palm of my hand when I 
shook hands with him, when I spoke to him; I suppose to find out 
whether I was a Ku Klux or not. 

1 1 90. Question — Before giving you that grip, did he not administer an 
oath to you ? 

Answer — No- 
ll 91. Question — You have stated you would have joined had you not 

found out Captain Wells was a humbug ; how did you find out he was a 

humbug ? 

Answer — By a friend telling me. 

1192. Question — Were you not in the company of Captain Wells a 
great deal before he left town ? 

Answer — Every night for a week, as I was on duty as a Marshal, and 
Avould meet him at the hotel. 

1193. Question— Did you not meet, on several occasions, a good many 
of the citizens of this place in his room ? 

Answer — I did not ; I never was in his room in my life. 

1194. Question — What did Captain Wells tell you was the object and 
intention of the organization ? 

Answer — He never spoke to me on the subject. 



672 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



1195. Question — Did he or did lie not state to you it was a political 
organization? 

Answer — No. 

1196. Question — About how long did Captain Wells remain here? 
Answer — I don't know ; I don't know when he came or when he left. 

1197. Question — To which of the political parties did you belong du- 
ring the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — Democratic party. 

1198. Question — Was there, or was there not, a general rumor that 
there was a Ku Klux organization in this County ? 

Answer — Yes. 

1199. Question (by Mr. Crews) — Did you know any one here who 
joined his organization ? 

Answer — Yes ; but that is a secret with me ; a friend told me so in 
confidence, that he had joined. 

William McGukin, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

1200. Question — Do you live in this County? if so, state where, and 
how long you have lived there ; your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County, at Anderson Court House ; lived there 
three years ; thirty-six years old, and at this time SheriiF of this County. 

1201. Question — As Sheriff of this County, do you know of any out- 
rages, intimidations or threats committed in this County during the Presi- 
dential campaign ? 

Answer — Not of my own knowledge ; I heard rumors to that effect. 
i 202. Question — Were you here the day Hampton, D, Wyatt Aiken 
and others made Democratic speeches ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1203. Question — Did you hear the remarks made by D. Wyatt Aiken? 
if so, state whether they were inflammatory or conciliatory. 

Answer — I was only at the speaking half an hour, and did not hear 
him, that I remember. 

1204. Question — Did you not hear D. Wyatt Aiken make the remark 
that if Randolph came here he should be killed ? 

Answer — No. 

1205. Question — Did you belong to either of the political parties du- 
ring the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — To the Democractic party. 

12U6. Question — Did you ever attend any of the meetings of the 
Democratic Club ? 

Answer — Two or three times. 

120'^. Question — State whether there was or was not a general rumor of 
intimidation and violence practiced throughout this County by a party 
styling themselves bushwhackers or Ku Klux, during the Presidential 
campaign ? 

Answer — Yes, there was a general rumor of Ku Klux being in the 
country. 

1208. Question — What was the political condition of affairs during the 
Presidential campaign ? exciting or otherwise ? 

Answer — A little exciting, I thought. 



J 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 67^ 



1209. Question (by Mr, Crews) — How long have you been Sheriff r" 
Answer — For about three years. 

1210. Question — Have you been able to serve all the warrants placed 
in your hands, without resistance, during the Presidential campaign? 

Answer — I think I have 

1211. Question — Are there any warrants in your hands you have not 
served ? 

Answer — None, except the Briscoe warrant, and I have not been able 
to arrest him. 

John R. Cochran, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Smalls : 

1212. Question — State your name, age, occupation, where you reside, 
and how long you have resided there. 

Answer — John R. Cochran ; -iO years ; Auditor of Anderson County ; 
at present, reside at Anderson Court House, and resided there 20 years. 

1213. Question — Do you know of any intimidations, threats or vio- 
lence committed, prior to or at the general election in this County, 
whereby any person was kept from voting as he desired ? 

Answer — I have heard Democrats from different portions of the 
County say, at Anderson Court Plouse, that no d — d Radical negro should 
stay upon or work their lands, and have often heard them tell tlie colored 
men so. 

1214. Question — Were you in town the day Hampton, D. Wyatt 
Aiken, and others spoke ? 

Answer — I was not ; I was in Columbia, and was here only for a 
few weeks before the election. 

1215. Question — Were you ever threatened ? 
Answer — Yes. 

1216. Question — Please state the circumstances? 

Answer — Democrats told me that I could not live in Anderson County 
and be a Radical, and advocate the negro government, (as they styled it,) 
and from information received from Democrats I considered it necessary 
to fortify my house, and for that purpose I purchased a lot of sheet iron, 
greased it, and placed it around my liouse ; bought ammunition and 
armed a guard of colored men for my protection at night. On my return 
from Columbia, men who wei'e previously my friends would not speak to 
me on the streets. 

1217. Question — Were you in town the day Associate Justice Hoge 
spoke ? 

Answer — I was. 

1218. Question — Was there any difficulty on that day ? and if so, 
state the circumstances. 

Answer — There was considerable abuse to him whilst speaking ; some 
words were passed between the colored and white men ; Captain Parker 
came up, and advised the young white men to desist, and had it not 
been for his efforts I believe there would have been a riot. After the 
speaking we returned to my house. A short time before dark a young man 
rode by my house and cried out three cheers for the Ku Klux Klan. I 
consulted some of my friends, who advised me to send my wife from home, 
and leave with Judge Hoge, as there was considerable excitement on 



674 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DIST., S. C. 



account of Randolph's murder ; after dark I left and guided Judge Hoge 
to Williamston, put him on the train, went to Belton, and returned the 
next day. My wife did not stay at home that night. 

1219. Question — Do you know of any colored persons being whipped, 
beaten or shot in this County during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — I only know from the statements of the colored men, and 
examining the places where they were whipped and wounded. Injustice 
to the majority of the citizens of Anderson County, I would state that 
they condemned these outrages ; it was a minority, and young men who 
owned but little, if any property in the County ; but while the old citizens 
would come to me and speak of these outrages and condemn them, they 
never took any steps against the offenders, 

1220. Question — Did you vote at the general election, November 3d, 
1868? 

Answer — I did. 

1221. Question — How long did you remain at the poll? 
Answer — Not more than one hour and a-half 

1222 Question — While at the poll, did you see any disturbance ? 

Answer — None in the morning. 

1223. Question — Were you at the poll twice that day? 

Answer — Yes ; I advised the colored men to be at the poll as soon as 
opened ; most of them were there early, and voted before the white men 
came in town ; I returned home for my breakfast, and never returned to 
the poll until late in the afternoon. When I voted a young man named 
Boan, from Georgia, said : " There goes a damned Radical ticket." I 
walked a short distance from the court house, and a crowd collected 
around me, among them a man named McGee. In changing my pistols 
one fell to the ground ; with that, McGee pulled out his pistol. Mr. 
Whitfield came up, and commanded peace, and ordered us to disperse, 
and the crowd dispersed. 

On motion, at 7 P. M., the Committee adjourned, subject to the call of 
the Chairman. 



EDGEFIELD COUNTY 



PROCEEDINGS AND EVIDENCE. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

Third Congressional District, 
Edgefield C. H., S. C, September 13, 1869. 
The Committee met in the Court Room, this day, at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

Philip A. Eichelberger sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

1. Question — How long have you lived in the State of South Carolina 
and in the County of Edgefield ? 

Answer — I was boru in the State, and have lived in this County ten 
years. 

2. Question — Do you hold any office at present ? and, if so, what (jf- 
j&ce? 

Answer — Yes ; I am County Coroner and Census Taker. 

3. Question — Will you please tell us, if you can, how many, or about 
how many, homicides have been committed iu the County from March 
2, 1867, until November 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — I am not able to answer the question accurately ; but there 
were a great many. 

4. Question — From March 2, 1867, down to the time of the late gene- 
ral election, November 3, 1868, did there appear to be more violence 
manifested by the people than there was prior to that time ? 

Answer — Yes, a great deal more. 

5. Question — What class of people was it that showed a violent 
spirit ? 

Answer — From the Democratic party, who were org-anized into 
Clubs. 

6. Question — To what class of people was their violence shown ? 
Answer — To the Republican party ; mostly to the colored people and 

those who advocated their political rights. 

7. Question — Please give us a description of the state of affiiirs that 
existed in this County (as near as you can) prior to the late general elec- 
tion. 

Answer — At the time of the nomination for President of the United 
States by both political parties a great excitement arose in this County. 
The Democrats organized themselves into Clubs, and many of those Clubs 
pledged themselves not to employ any member of the Republican party 
who should vote for Grant and Colfax for President and Vice-President, 
or who should remain in the Republican party. Armed bands of men 



678 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



did pass through certain portions of the County and threaten violence 
against men who belonged to the Republican party, and no fair election 
could have been held in this County for the candidates at that general 
election. 

8. Question — Was there an election held on the 3d November, 1868, 
in this County ? 

Answer — No. 

9. Question — Please continue your statement. 

Answer — An armed body of men came to my house about sundown 
on the same day Mr. Jacob Reed made his speech at the Court House. 
This was about one month previous to November 3d, 1868. This ])arty 
rode into my yard with their pistols cocked and fingers on the triggers, 
and cursed me for a d — d Radical, and ordered me out of my house ; 
said they intended to kill me on that account, and if I didn't come out 
they would murder me and drag me out. My wife threw herself be- 
tween us, and said they would have to kill her first ; after which one fel- 
low, who said he was Captain, ordered the men to leave the yard. As 
they left, they begged the Captain to let them fire at my house. They 
were about ten in number ; most of them armed with Colt's army pis- 
tols. I was within twenty steps of tliem, (in my room,) at the window. 

10. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — How do you know that there could 
not have been a fair election held in this County, Noveml>er 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — From the great excitement, and from threats made by the 
Democratic party, and acts of intimidation which I think sufficient to 
have intimidated hundreds of colored people from going to the polls. 

11. Question — Well, then, it is merely your opinion there could not 
have been a fair election ? 

Answer — I judge from surrounding circumstances, and from facts I 
have just related in my own case. 

12. Question — Who wei'e the Commissioners of Election in this County 
at that time? 

Answer — I can't say I can give all ; jMr. Root was one ; he had to sell 
out his property at a sacrifice and leave Edgefield, on account of intimi- 
dation and violence toward him by a portion of the Democratic party ; 
his house w'as fired into at night while his family were present. 

lo. Question — Were you present when acts of violence were made 
towards Mr. Root? 

Answei" — I was not, but I heard him and others relate the facts. 

14. Question — How do you know it was a portion of the Democratic 
party that fired into his house? 

Answer — From the fact that I knew the men that he told me were en- 
gaged in it. 

15. Question — Do you know anything of the outrages that wex^e com- 
mitted on Mr. Root, except from hearsay ? 

Answer — I know only from what I hoard himself and others say. 

16. Question — Did you know anything of the party who came to your 
house in October last and threatened you with violence ? 

Answer — No ; but I heard some of their names ; I went to the Solici- 
tor to have him prosecute the case, but he gave me no satisfixction ; I 
spoke to others, who said it was useless to bring the case up before a Dem- 
ocratic jury, because it would go against me. 



THIKD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 679 



17. Question — Then, you don't know whetlier they were Democrats 
or Republicans who came to your house? 

Answer — I judge from circumstances they were Democrats; the names 
I heard were of men wlio belonged to the Democratic Club ; at least they 
said so. 

18. Question — Was this outrage committed upon yourself the only 
outrage that came under your observation during the late Presidential 
campaign ? 

Answer — Yes. 

19. Question — Was not the failure to hold an election in this County 
on the od of November last attributable to the fact that the Commis- 
sioners of Election failed to appoint Managers at the various polls ? 

Answer — I attribute it to the fact that they were intimidated, and on 
account of the general excitement through the County, and violence com- 
mitted, as in the case of Mr. Root. 

20. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — To the best of your knowledge and 
belief, had they ever made the appointments, could they have got proper 
men to serve through the County ? 

Answer — 1 think they could not have secured men who would have 
held a fair election ; the prejudice was too great. 

Mr. Bryant — I object to the answer, as it is merely an opinion. 

A. Ramsay, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

21. Q,aestion — How long have you resided in the State of South Caro- 
lina, and in the County of Edgefield? 

Answer — Over thirty years. 

22. Question — Do you hold any office at the present time ? and if so, 
]»iease state what office. 

Answer — I am Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and General Ses- 
sions of this County. 

23. Question — As Clerk of the Court, are the records in cases of 
homicide, where there has been a Coroner's inquest held, filed in your 
office ? 

Answer — Yes. 

24. Question — Can you tell us how many, or about how many, cases of 
homicide, in this County, have come to your knowledge from March 2, 
1807, until November 3, 1868. 

Answer — I cannot tell, for I was not Clerk of the Court at that time. 
I was inducted into office in December, 1868. 

25. Question — Do you know of any method used by any class of 
persons in this County, to prevent another class from voting as they felt 
disposed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

26. Question — Please state what method you know of, that was cm- 
ployed for that purpose? 

Answer — The plan Avas, that if they voted contrary to the wishes of 
their employers, they would be turned out of house and home. 

27. Question — Please tell us how you know that this was so. 
Answer — By the records of the public journal at this place. 



680 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



28. Question — Do you know of any person or persons that were turned 
off? 

Answer — No. There was no election held. 

29. Question — Can you tell us why there was no election held at this 
place ? 

Answer — Not from my own knowledge. 

30. Question — What has been the conduct of the people (the colored 
people) in this County, so far as peace and good behavior is concerned ? 

Answer — Very good. 

31. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Were you in this County during the 
few months immediately preceding the late Presidential election, held 
Novembers, 1868? 

Answer — Yes. 

32. Question — Was there, to your knowledge, an instance, in this 
County, during the six months next preceding the late general election, 
in which an attempt to enforce the civil law was rendered futile by resist- 
ance to the ofhcer attempting to enforce it? 

Answer — I know of no instance in which an officer was resisted in 
attempting to make an arrest. 

33. Question — Do you know of any combination, cons2:)iracy or agree- 
ment having been entered into by or between any citizens, or any class 
of persons wliatever, for the purpose of preventing the polls from being 
opened in Edgefield County, on the 3d November last ; or do you know 
of any steps having been taken to prevent an election at that time ? 

Answer — No. 

34. Question — Do you know of any act of violence, or any intimidatory 
demonstration towards the Commissioners of Election, to prevent them 
from holding an election in this County, at that time ? 

Answer — Not to my own knowledge. 

35. Question — Do you know anything of an armed baud of men, riding 
over different parts of this County, committing various dejjredations du- 
ring the few months immediately preceding the late general election ? 

Answer— I do not. I was at home, unwell, at the time. 

36. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Do you reside within the incorporate 
limits of the Town of Edgefield ? 

Answer — No. I live a half mile out of the town. The incorporation 
extends a mile each way from the Court House. I lived there previous 
to the general election. 

37. Question — Did you travel frequently, or any, over this County, 
immediately preceding the late general election ? 

Answer — I did not. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

John H. McDevitt sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

38. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 



i 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 681 



Answer — All my life. 

39. Question — Are you an officer in this County ? If so, please state 
what office you hold. 

Answer — Yes ; Sheriff of this County ; elected in June, 1868, and took 
possession in December, 1868. 

40. Question — Were you in the County during the six months next 
preceding the late Presidential election ? 

Answer — Y es. 

41. Question — What was the general feeling of the people in the 
County in relation to politics? 

Answer — All the white people, Avith very few exceptions, were in sym- 
pathy with the Democratic j)arty. The colored people, as a general 
thing, were Republican. The feelings of the Democrats wei'e very 
liostile towards Republicans, shown so by words and threats that 
I have heard made myself; from these and other acts of violence 
I heard they committed, I formed the opinion that the mass of Demo- 
crats were hostile to the Republican party. 

42. Question — Do you know of any acts of violence committed upon 
persons prior to the general election on account of their political pro- 
clivities ? 

Answer — I don't know of but few, to my knowledge. The community 
I lived in Avas regarded as the quietist in the County. I will state one 
case. Mr. Elliott was invited by a few of us leading white Republicans to 
deliver an address at Graniteville ; I can't I'ecollect tlie day or month ; 
bvit it was within the six mouths prior to the general election. We pre- 
pared a stand for speaking, and Mr. Elliott commenced his address ; 
while speaking, a large crowd of white citizens of the place, incited by 
other parties who did not participate directly, made an assault on the 
speaker's stand with pistols, sticks and rocks ; the leader advanced with a 
drawn pistol, presented it to Mr. Elliott, and ordered him to get down 

from the stand, giving, as reasons, that no d d Republican should 

speak in this place, (Graniteville,) or words to that effect, and said it 
was a Democratic town, and that he could not speak there. Words of the 
same import were used by different members of the crowd. Mr. Elliott 
insisted he had the right of an American citizen ; but, we observing night 
was coming on, advised him to get down ; the crowd was still around 
clamoring. Mr. Elliott got down, and, after a few more curses and 
threats, we left. I had Avord sent to me several times that if myself and 
Mr. AVoolley didn't leave, we would be murdered. I heard this also on 
the streets several times. I have lain out from my house two or three 
nights, waiting to be attacked, just previous to the election ; I was afraid 
to venture from home at night unless accompanied by friends. Every 
day colored men would come in and report the death, also whipping and 
abusing of persons ; I have heard of fully twenty such cases, and have 
seen the wounds on the parties ; I have never heard of any action being 
taken in the matter. These outrages were generally committed by per- 
sons in disguise ; I was told that Republicans would not be allowed to 
go to the polls to vote, and that they would be stopped in the road ; this 
was talked publicly in the streets. On the day of election I saw many 
of the Democrats going to Barnwell to vote ; so they said. At the time 
referred to, I resided in Graniteville. 



682 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



43. Question — Do you know of armed bauds going through this 
County prior to the election ? 

Answer — Yes ; one night I stopped at a house ten miles from Edge- 
field C'Ourt House, when a band of men rode up to the house and ques- 
tioned the proprietor of the house in such a low tone I could not under- 
stand ; they then rode off- The Superintendent of Graniteville Mills 
told me he wouldn't allow any one to remain on his place that voted the 
Republican ticket. This place Avould have polled tliree hundred white 
votes. He has turned off one or two for affiliating with the Republican 
party. 

44. Question — From what you saw prior to the late general election, 
and from what you know of the feeling exhibited by the peo]>le of the 
County who claimed to be Democrats, could a fair election have been 
held November 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — There could not. 

45. Question — To the best of your knowledge and belief, was it safe 
for any Republican to have openly expressed his political sentiments, or 
advocated the principles of his party in this County ? 

Answer — It was ov/ing to what portion of the County he would go in. 
I have expressed my sentiments in the part of the County I lived in, 
(Graniteville,) but did not regard myself as being safe. For other parts 
of the County, I only know what I have heard ; and from seeing persons 
who had been abused, and from the wounds upon them, and knowing 
them to be Republicans, I regarded it unsafe in those parts. 

46. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — During the late Presidential cam- 
})aign, did you see any officer of the law in this County set at de- 
iianee ? 

Answer — I don't know that I saw any civil officers of the law at all at 
that time. 

47. Question — During the late Presidential campaign, did you hear 
the authority of the State government openly derided and denied ? 

Answer — I have heard parties speaking in a scornful manner of the 
Governor, and the Legislature, and saying it was not a bo/uifide govern- 
ment, and they would not be governed by such laws. 

48. Question — Will you please state whom you heard make these 
remarks ? 

Answer — I don't recollect the names. I did not myself hear the lead- 
ing Democrats in the County say so, but the Democrats in general talked 
so ; it was a general thing. 

49. Question — Did not the masses of the people, in this County, mani- 
fest a disposition to abide by the laws of this State government? 

Answer — The majority did, but they are Republicans ; and some of the 
Democrats, but very few of them. 

Lawrence Cain, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

50. Question — Do you reside in Edgefield County? if so, in what por 
tion and how long have you resided here ? 

Answer — I have lived in the County all my life, and resided at Edge- 
field Court House about ten years. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 683 



51. Question — "Were you in this County at and for some months pre- 
vious to the late general election ? 

Answer — I was. 

52. Question — Do you know of any instance during the late Presiden- 
tial campaign, in which the civil law was attempted to be enforced, but 
could not be on account of resistance to the officer attempting to en- 
force it ? 

Answer — I don't know of any. 

53. Question — Do you know of any combination, conspiracy, or agree- 
ment, having been entered into by any citizen, or between any citizens, or 
any class of persons whatever, for the purpose of preventing the polls from 
being opened in Edgefield County, on the 3d of November last? or do 
you know of any steps having been taken in this County to prevent an 
election at that time ? 

Answer — I don't positively know of any, but I have reason to believe 
there were. There was no election held November 3, 1868. I was ap- 
pointed by the Governor one of the Commissioners of Election, and Mr. 
Hill was another. He came here from Hamburg about ten days previous 
to the day of the general election to meet the Board. He told me some 
of his best friends here advised him not to serve, for they believed if lie 
did he would be killed. He then wrote to the Governor, and declined 
serving. The other Commissioner did not come at all. Those two per- 
sons declining left the Board without a quorum, and no Managers could 
be appointed. The reasons given were the cause no election was held. 

54. Question — Did or did not the Democrats of this place manifest an 
anxiet}^ to have an election ? 

Answer — They did ; after they found the Commissioners declined, and 
they began to think there would be no election here, they appeared to be 
anxious to have one, and a great many from the country wanted to know 
of me why no election would be held. 

55 . Question — To your knowledge, was any person killed in this County, 
during the Presidential campaign, on account of his politics ? if so, please 
state all you know about it ? 

Answer — Yes ; I know a colored man was killed, named Martin Swen- 
agin. He lived near Pine House Station. 

56 Question — Did any one endeavor to intimidate you from acting as 
a Commissioner of Election during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — Not to me, personally ; but news came to rae daily if I did 
act I would certainly be killed. 

57. Question (by Mr. Wright)— How many Boards of Commissioners 
were appointed for the purpose of preparing the way to hold an election 
on the 3d day of November, 1868 ? 

Answer — There were two Boards appointed. 

58. Question — You being one of the Commissioners of Election, were 
you not, from what you had seen, from what you had heard, and from 
what you had known, afraid to serve as a Commissioner ? 

Answer — I was. 

59. Question — Please give us the names of the persons Avho were ap- 
pointed with you on that Board. 

Answer — Mr. Truman Root and Mr. Levi Hill. 

86 



684 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



60. Question — Were you the first or the last Board that was ap- 
pointed ? 

Answer —The last Board. 

61. Question — At the time that the last Board was appointed, where 
did Mr. Root reside ? 

Answer — When appointed he resided within the incorporation of Edge- 
field Court House. 

62. Question — Did Mr. Root ever meet you in the Board ? 
Answer — He did not. 

63. Question — Please state why he did not. 

Answer — On a Saturday night, a short time before the Board was to 
meet, a crowd of persons went to his house in the town, shot through the 
door and broke it down, and cursed him for a Radical. I heard these 
expressions myself. 

64. Question — Please state what language you heard that body of men 
use towards Mr. Root. 

Answer — I heard them say, " Come out of that house, you d d 

Radical son of a b h ; we don't intend for such a Radical son of a 

b h as you to stay about here" I being in fear that Mr. Root was 

in great danger there, got two men to go with me down to the Yankee 
camp, and reported to the commanding officer what they were doing at 
Mr. Root's house, and that we believed they intended to kill him that 
night. He told me to return, and he would send some men up here, but 
the men did not get here until next morning- When I returned to town 
from camp these men had left Mr. Root's house. I met three of them 
about two hundred yards from Mr. Root's house. I heard them, as they 

passed Mr. Harris' house, cursing all the d d Radicals. I do not 

know who these persons were. 

65 Question — Did you examine Mr. Root's house afterward.s ? and if 
so, please state what the condition of it was. 

Answer — I went to Mr. Root's house very early on Sunday morning, 
and found him in the kitchen looking and talking as though most scared 
to death. When I got there I saw the door Avas broken down ; that a 
bullet had been shot through the door and one of the windows. I asked 
him if he was going to serve as a Commissioner of Election. He said he 
could not, as he had no protection, and called my attention as to how he 
had been served the previous night. 

(jQ. Question — How long did Mr. Root remain here after that time ? 

Answer — About two weeks from that time he left, and during that 
time he was guarded by the Yankee soldiers every night. He left before 
the election. 

67. Question — You stated that the Democrats manifested a desire to 
have an election held here ; did they manifest that desire before or after 
Mr. Root left ? 

Answer — After he left, and even after Mr. Hill declined to serve, leav- 
ing no one but myself. 

68. Question — After that time was it or Avas it not too late to have 
another Board of Commissioners appointed, and they have sufficient time 
to make their appointment of Managers througliout the County, so that 
an election could be held? 



THIRD CONGRESSONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 



Answer — It was too late. Numbers of persons came to me, and I told 
them the Commissioners would not have time to perform their duty. 

69. Question — Do you know of any efforts being made by the civil au- 
thorities to apprehend the persons who made that attack upon the house 
of Mr. Root ? 

Answer— I do not. I asked Mr. Root why he did not have the persons 
arrested ? He said he believed if he did he would be killed before he 
got away. 

70. Question — What office do you hold ? 
Answer — I am a member of the Legislature. 

On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow at 
9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Edgefield C. H., S. C, September 14, 1^69. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 
Mack Brooks (colored) sworn. 
Direct examiuiUion by Mr, Wright : 

71. Question — Hovv^ long have you lived in the State of South Caro- 
lina ? 

Answer — Born in the State, and raised in the town of Edgefield. 

72. Question — Wliat is your occupation? 
Answer — Hostler. 

73. Question — Do you know of any means that were used by any 
party or class of persons in this County to prevent any other class of per- 
sons from voting as they desired at the late general election, November 
3, 1868 ? 

Answer — One Saturday night, about 11 o'clock, before the election, I 
v>^as within one hundred yards of Mr. Truman Root's house, when I heard 
sliooting and cursing, and rocks l)eing thrown against his house. Mr. 
Root was a member of the General Assembly and a Commissioner of 
Election. 

74. Question — Please state the language that you heard the persons 
use to Mr. Root on that occasion. 

Answer — They called liim a G — d d — n Radical sou of a b — h, and 
was nothing but a G— d d — n scallawag, and that his daughter was a lady 
because sac would not stay with him because he Avas a Radical, and they 
were going to pay her a great deal of money for not staying with him. 

75. Question — Did they, or did they not, tell him that he must leave 
this place ? 

Answer — Yes ; they told him if he didn't leave they would kill him. 

76. Question — Did you examine the house of Mr. Root the next day ? 
Answer — Yes. 

77. Question — What was the condition of the house ? 



686 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — One of tlie panels of the door and the window sash Avere 
broken out, and one window shot through. On the piazza were boxes 
and rocks. 

78. Question — To your knowledge, did Mr. Root, shortly after that oc- 
currence, leave this place ? 

Answer — Yes, as soon as he could sell out 

79. Question — If you know of any other outrages, please state 
them. 

Answer — On the same night that the assault was made upon the house 
of Mr. Root, Albert Jackson's house was shot into. He was standing at 
his store door when he was shot at ; he closed the door, and a ball went 
through it into the ceiling. 

80 Question — Did you see the parties Avho shot ? 

Answer — Yes. 

81. Question — How near were you to them ? 
Answer — Within fifty yards. 

82. Question — Was that in town ? 
Answer — Yes. 

S3. Question — Was Albert Jackson a white or colored man ? 
Answer — A colored man. 

84. Question — How many persons were there in that crowd that fired ? 
Answer^ — As near as I can judge, about ten or fifteen. 

85. Question — Did you hear them say anything ? 
Answer — No. 

S6. Question — Did you know any of the persons who fired? 

Answer — No. 

87. Question — Have you or have you not repeatedly heard threats 
made against those who belonged to the Radical party ? 

Answer — Only what I have stated. 

88 Question (by Mr. Bryant) — During the Presidential campaign, did 
you hear any Democrat or Democrats advise any person or persons to com- 
mit outrages upon Republicans? 

Answer — No. 

89. Question (by Mr. Wright) — ^You stated that you did not hear any 
Democrat or Democrats advise any person or persons to commit outrages 
upon Republicans? Did you associate with the Democrats? 

Answer — No. 

Albert Jackson (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

90. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

91. Question — In what part of the County do you reside ? 
Answer — Edgefield Court House. 

92. Question — How long have you resided here ? 
Answer — About four years. 

93. Question — Were you in this County during the six months next 
preceding the late general election? 

Answer — Yes. 

94. Question — Did you attend any of the political meetings at this 
place ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 687 



Answer — Yes ; the meeting at which Mr. Jacob Reed spoke. 

95. Qviestion — Have you or have you not any recollection of the pur- 
port of that speech ? 

Answer — His advice was to the Democratic party to use tender means, 
and if that would not do, then to compel the colored people to vote with 
them, and if they did not so vote, they must be kept away from the polls. 

96. Question — Do you or do you not know of any outrages, acts of 
violence, or means of intimidation used to prevent persons from voting at 
the general election, November 3, 1868. 

Answer — One night, before the election, a party of men went to Mr. 
Koot's store, broke open the window, and then went to his residence, 
threw rocks at it, broke open the door and window, and swore they were 
going to kill him if he didn't leave this place ; called him a damned Rad- 
ical son of a bitch, and shot through the door and window ; I saw the 
party proceeding to his house, and they were armed with pistols. 

07. Question — Do you or do you not know who those parties were? 

Answer — I knew two of them. 

98. Question — Please state the names ? 

Answer — John Gray and a Mr. Tompkins ; one of the crowd was a 
soldier, who was afterwards tried and convicted for stealing watches and 
pistols in this place ; he is now in the Penitentiary. 

99. Question — Do you know of any other outrages committed in this 
place? 

Answer — On a Saturday night prior to the election, subsequent to the 
firing into Mr. Root's house, John Gray (one of the party who fired into 
Mr. Root's house) came to my door with a pistol in his hand and told me 
to stop ; he said : "Albert, don't shut that door, for damn you I am going 
to kill you ;" I shut the door and he kicked and knocked three or four 
times ; he told me to open it ; I told him I could not ; he then stepped 
back and fired three times at the door ; one ball came through and the 
other two lodged in the door ; he then went up the street ; soon after Mr. 
Charles Chatham passed and Avent up the street also ; in a short time 
afterwards they both returned and crossed the street to a bar-room, Avhere 
u party was congregated ; a crowd of colored men had by this time gath- 
ered in front of my door ; Mr. Chatham crossed over and inquired of 
them what they were gathered there for ; some of them said they wanted 
to see what the shooting was about ; he told them they better get out of 
the street, d — d quick ; he then returned to the bar-room, and Gray came 
over again towards my house with a pistol in his hand, and the crowd of 
colored men ran ; he asked some young men who had remained for me, but 
they told him I had left, although I had not ; I afterwards left the same 
night, and went two miles from town. 

Abraham Landrum, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

100. Question — How long have you resided in the State of South 
Carolina ? 

Answer — All my life. 

101. Question — How long have you lived in the County of Edgefield ? 
Answer — Thirty years. 

102. Question — Do you live within the corporate limits of the town of 
Edgefield ? 



688 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes. 

103. Question — Do you know of any means tliat were xised by any 
person or persons to i)revcnt other persons from exercising their political 
privileges as they desired to ? 

Answer — I do ; one night before the election, which was to have been 
held November o, 1868, some parties went to the house of Mr. Root, a 
member of the Legislature, and one of the Commissioners of Election, 
and shot thi-ee balls into his house. 

104. Question — Did you examine the house of Mr. Root? 
Answer — Yes. 

105. Question — Did you hear them say anything when the assault 
Avas made ? 

Answer — No. 

106. Question— Did you see the parties ? 

Answer — Yes ; at a distance ; but was not near enough to recognize 
them. 

107. Question (by Mr. Bryant)— During the late Presidential campaign 
did you see any ofiicer of the law set at defiance ? 

Answer — No. 

108. Question — During the last Presidential campaign did you know 
of any member of the Democratic party in Edgefield County advising or 
encouraging any person to commit acts of violence or outrage ? 

Answer— No. 

109. Question — During the last Presidential campaign were you a 
mendier of any political organization? and, if so, please state the name of 
that oi'ganization. 

Answer — I was a member of the Republican party. 

110. Question — Did any person ever threaten you with violence to 
your ])erKon or your property, if you should not sever your connection 
with the Republican party ? 

Answer — They said to nie I would be out of employment if I remained 
Avith the Republican party. 

111. Question — Was there an election held in this County on the 3d 
of November last. 

Answer — Not to my recollection. 

112. Question — Do you know the reason why tiiere was no election 
held at that time ? 

Answer — I don't know positively. 

113. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — You stated you was a member of the 
Republican party here ; did you often attend the meetings of the Republi- 
can party ? 

Answer — I attended often. 

114. Question — At any of the meetings you attended were any attacks 
made by armed men who claimed to be members of the Democratic 
party ? 

Aiiswer — About the same time they shot into Mr. Root*s house, Mr. 
Cain was at the Republican Club-house addressing the party in reference 
to the Presidential election, and the Democrats came there v.'ith bells, 
tin-pans, horns, &c. They did nothing except to disturb the meeting ; I 
don't know whether they were armed or not ; I heard no remarks made 
by them. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 689 



Anthony Doggett, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant : 

115. Question — Please state your age, occupation, where you reside, 
and how long you have resided there. 

Answer — I am thirty-three years old ; am a w'heelwright ; I reside at 
Edgefield Court House, and have resided here seventeen years. 

116. Question — Were you present in this County during the months of 
July, August, September and October, 1868 ? 

Answer — Yes- 

117. Question — During the months just referred to, was there, to your 
knowledge, any person in Edgefield County killed on account of his poli- 
tical opinions ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

118. Question — During the months just referred to did you witness 
the commission of any outrage upon any person? 

Answer — No. 

119. Question — Do you know of any instance during the late Presi- 
dential campaign, in which the civil law w^as attempted to be enforced, 
but could not be, on account of resistance to the ofiicer attempting to en- 
force it ? 

Answer — No. 

1-iO. Question — During the late Presidential campaign, did you hear 
any member of the Democratic party, in Edgefield County, advising and 
encouraging acts of violence and outrage ? 

Answer — No. 

121. Question — Was there an election held in this County on the 3d 
of November last ? 

Answer — There was not. 

122. Question — Do you know why there was not an election held on 
the 3d of November last ? 

Answer — I never understood why there was not. 

123. Question — Do you know of any steps having been taken by any 
person or persons to prevent an election at that time in this County ? 

Ansvver — No. 

124. Question — Were you a member of any political oi'ganization 
during the Presidential campaign? if so, state the name of that organi- 
zation ? 

Answcj'— I was a member of the Republican Club. 

125. Question — Did any person ever threaten to mistreat you if you 
did not sever your connection with the Republican Club ? 

Answer — No. 

126. Question (by Mr. Wright) — During the six months immediately 
preceding, and at the time of the late general election, Avho was the Sheriff 
of this County ? 

Answer — Major Boies. 

127. Question — Who was the Solicitor ? 
Answei' — I don't know. 

128. Question — Who was the Coroner of the County? 
Answer — I don't know. 

129. Question — Who was the Town Marshal ? 



690 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Wm. Goodman. 

130. Question — Who was the Magistrate in town ? 
Answer — I don't remember. 

131. Question — Do you know of any threats, or outrages, that were 
used by any person or persons to keep others from exercising the privi- 
lege of voting as they saw fit ? 

Answer — No. 

Augustus Harris, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

132. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

133. Question — In what part of the County do you reside ? 

Answer — At Edgefield Court House, and have resided here about four 
years. 

134. Question — Were you in the County during the six months next 
preceding the general election, which was to have been held in this 
County, November 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — I was. 

135. Question — Did you attend any of the political meetings that were 
held in this County during that period ? 

Answer — Yes. 

136. Question— Did you attend meetings of both political parties ? 
Answer — I did. 

137. Question — Do you recollect the names of any of the speakers 
who spoke at those meetings' i* 

Answer — Yes ; Robert Toombs, of Georgia, and Mr. Alexander Has- 
kell, of Columbia, Generals Gary and Butler, and Mr Jacob. P. Reed. 
These were Democratic meetings. 

138. Question — Do you recollect the purport of any of those speeches? 
Answer — I recollect some words used by Mr. Reed in his speech. 

139. (Question — Please go on and state the language used. 

Answer — I heard him say he was a candidate for Congress against 
Hoge ; that the people must send him to Congress ; that the niggers 
might as Avell vote for him, as he was going any how. He said if they 
wouldn't vote for him, they must stay at home, and not be caught at the 
polls ; and if they would insist on coming that they would be kept away 
any how, as means would be used at the Cross Roads to prevent them 
from getting to the polls. He said the Democratic Clubs must do as 
they were doing in the upper Counties. He said they were not going to 
be ruled by the nigger government, and dared the Republicans, nigger 
and white, to fire a gun ; if they did, the whirlwind would commence, 
and they would sweep them from the fiice of the earth. 

140. Question — Do you know of any outrages, acts of violence, or 
means of intimidation, used against persons in this County during that 
jjeriod, on account of their political sentiments ? 

Answer — One night prior to the election, about 11 o'clock, a party 
went to Mr. Root's house, and began throwing rocks at it. They then 
went off, and returned in about an hour, firing pistols as they went along, 
and when they reached his house they fired into it. 

141. Question — Did you hear anything ^said by those parties at the 
time ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRI8TICT, S. C. 691 



Answer — They said had they got hold of him, they would have butch- 
ered him ; also, said he had better leave here as soon as he could, or they 
would get him any how. 

142. Question — Do you know the names of any of that party? 
Answer — I know one ; his name was John Gray. 

143. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — During the Presidential campaign 
did you see any officer of the law set at defiance ? 

Answer — I did not. 

144. Question — Were you a member of any political organization du- 
ring the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — Yes ; I belonged to the Union Republican Club. 

145. Question — Did any person ever threaten you with violence if you 
did not quit the Union Club ? 

Answer — No. 

146. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did any person ever say to you that 
a citizen of this town would be killed, or, in other words, would be put 
to sleep, on account of his being a Radical ? 

Answer — Yes. 

147. Question — Did any person ever say to you in this town that there 
was a party of one hundred men, headed by a Captain, and the party 
known as the Ku Klux Klan, and that party was intending the night of, 
or sometime before, the od of November, to put a Radical to sleep, and 
then take the tickets away from him, in order to defeat the election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

148. Question — Where was it you were told that? 
Answer — In my shop. 

149. Question — Did you drive, or attempt to drive, the person out of 
your shop ? 

Answer — I told him to leave that place. 

150. Question — On leaving that place, did he make any threats 
against you or any other person ? 

Answer — He said he didn't like my eyes at first, when he commenced 
talking, and said to another man who was present that he blamed him 
for telling him I was all right, and that the other man must not be seen 
down on the Ridge again. 

151. Question — The other man made it ajipear, then, to this man, that 
you were a Democrat, did he not ? 

Answer — Yes ; and told him I had been stumping the County for the 
Democrats. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M, 

D. L. Turner sworn. 

Direct examination by IMr. Wi'ight : 

152. Question — How long have you resided in the State of South Car- 
olina and tlie County of Edgefield f 

87 



692 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Thirty-seven years. 

153. Question — Do you hold any office at present? if so, please state 
what. 

Answer — Yes, Judge of Probate. 

154. Question — Do you reside within the corporate limits of the 
town ? 

Answer — Yes. 

155. Question — Please give a statement of the political history of this 
County, if you can, from March 2, 1867, down until November 8, 1868. 

Answer — A great deal of talking and abuse made to the Republican 
party. There has been bushwhacking and murdering going on, and sev- 
eral colored people killed. I know that we (County) officers had a great 
deal to take. I was told if I came here that my life would be in danger. 

156. Question — Were you ever threatened ? 

Answer — Not personally. I have been told that other parties had 
threatened my life. The first night I came here I was assaulted, and I 
think they meant to mob me. 

157. Question — For six months previous to the late general election 
did you, or did you not, consider it dangerous for any person to express 
Republican sentiments in this County ? 

158. Mr. Bkyant — I object to the question, as it is inquiring of the 
witness his opinion, and not facts. 

Answer — To a certain extent, I did. 

159. Question (by Mr. Wright) — What was the spirit which the Dem- 
ocratic party manifested toward the Republican ? 

Answer— Very tyrannical. 

160. Question — Do you know of any acts of violence committed upon 
any person or persons in this County ? 

Answer — Not personally ; but I know a good deal of bushwhacking 
has been going on. I know that Mr. Eichelberger was abused and 
treated badly. This occurred the day I came here. 

161. Question — Was he assaulted ? 
Answer— Yes. 

162. Question — Do you know whether there were any steps taken to 
bring the ofl'enders to justice ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

168. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Do you knoAv of any instance during 
the last Presidential campaign in which the civil law was attempted to 
be enforced, but could not be on account of resistance to the officer at- 
tempting to enforce it ? 

Answer — I don't recollect of any civil officer trying to arrest any per- 
son. 

164. Question — Do you know of any citizen of Edgefield County ad- 
vising or encouraging any acts of violence or outrage during the last 
Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — I don't know that I do. I know of outrages being commit- 
ted, but I don't know of others advising persons to do it. 

165. Question — Do you know of any murderer having been aided by 
any citizen of Edgefield County in escaping from justice during the last 
Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — I don't know that I do. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. O. 693 



166. Question — AVas there au election held in Edgefield County, No- 
vember 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — There was not. 

167. Question — Do you know the reason why there was no election on 
that day ? 

Answer — I don't know that I do. 

168. Question — Do you know of any steps having been taken by any 
citizen or citizens of Edgefield County to prevent an election being held 
in said County on third November last ? 

Answer — I don't know that I do. 

169. Question — Was there, to your knowledge, any organization in 
Edgefield County, during the last Presidential campaign, whose purpose 
was to prevent the ofiicers of the law from enforcing the civil law against 
any of their partisans ? 

Answer — There were organizations, but I don't know their motives or 
intentions. 

170. Question — You state that you know that a good deal of bush- 
whacking has been going on ; please state how you get your information ? 

Answer— From seeing persons who had been beaten, and seeing places 
that had been torn up. 

171. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Then, from what you have seen, 
were there not cases where attempts should have been made to arrest and 
bring ofifenders to justice ? 

Answer — Yes ; it should have been done, by all means. 

172. Question — During the late Presidential campaign, did you attend 
any public jwlitical meeting or meetings ? 

Answer — I don't remember that I did. I once remained over at 
Graniteville, at which Mr. Elliott was invited to speak, but the meeting 
was liroken up 

173 Question — Have you, or have you not, repeatedly heard persons 
declare that the laws made by the present Legislature should not or 
would not be obeyed ? 

Answer — I have lieard a great many ridiculing the laws, and the par- 
ties who made the laws. 

Pickens Stewart (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

174 Question — Please state whether or not you are a resident of this 
County ? 

Answer — I am a resident. 

175. Question — How long have you resided in the County? 
Answer — Born and bred in the County. 

176. Question — In what part of the County did you reside, prior to the 
late general election ? 

Answer — At Richardsonville. 

177. Question — Were you at Richardsonville during the six months 
next preceding the late general election ? 

Answer — I was. 

178. Question — Do you, or do you not, know of any outrages commit- 
ted, acts of violence resorted to, or means of intimidation used to prevent 
persons from voting as they desired ? 



694 INVESTIGATENG COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes. I was beaten myself. 

179. Question — Please state the facts connected with your case? 
Answer — I was working at my old home, where I was born, until the 

election was to be held, (November 'S, 1868.) I was ploughing in the field 
that day, and quit at twelve o'clock, and w^ent to a little store, not far off, 
and came back and resumed ploughing ; and three days after that, on a 
Friday night, a crowd of men, three of whom I am confident I know, 
came to my house and called. My uncle, who was in the house, ran 
imder the bed. I started to open the door, and they told me not to open 
the door until I had struck a light. I struck the light, and opened the 
door, and three or four men presented pistols at me, and told me to come 
out, which I did. I wanted to return to put on my pantaloons. They 
told me I need not go back to put on my pants, as what I had on would 
soon be taken ofl' of me. As I stepped out the door, they seized both of 
my hands, and blindfolded me with a towel, which they had taken from 
the door. They carried me up to the field where I had been ploughing 
all that day, and began to beat me. They tusseled about a good while, 
and then tied me, and stretched me on the ground. Some got on my 
head, and some on ray feet, and every time they hit me, 1 made an 
attempt to rise. When they found they could not hold me down, they 
took me up, and placed my feet around a stump, and drew me up to it, 
(the stump was five or six feet high) ; they then beat me until I was 
senseless. When I became conscious, I saw them lighting their pipes, 
and one came to me, and asked me if I could run. I told him I didn't 
think I could. I was then again struck with a buggy trace three or four 
times. I then ran off. 

180. Question — You stated that you were confident that you knew 
three of the party. Please state the names of those parties ? 

Answer — John Witt, Brantley Bryant and William Dodgen, 

181. Question — Did these men assign any reason for maltreating you 
as they did ? 

Answer — Yes. 

182. Question — What were the reasons assigned? 

Answer — They asked me did I go to the election ; I replied " no, you 
know there was no election here for me to go to;" they then inquired how 
long it had been since I had been down to Brantley Bryant's ; I replied 
it had been about a month ; and after studying awhile, I said no, it had 
been about three weeks; they then said "if you slip in one place you will 
in another." They asked me if I thought when I laid down that night 
that I would be dead before morning ? I replied no, I didn't think al)out 
it ; they said you should ; they said they Avhipped me because I was too 
smart, as I was running to town too often to speeches, and bringing back 
the news, and reading papers too much, and carrying political pamphlets 
about ; I was disabled from work for more than a week ; I left the j^lace 
as soon as I was able. 

183. Question — Do you know where those three men that you have 
mentioned are at the present time ? 

Answer — I know where they reside (Richardsonville ) 

184. Question — Do you know of any other outrages committed in that 
section prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — No. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 695 



185. Question (by Mr. Bryaut) — Did you go to a Magistrate after you 
were beaten, and make a statement of the facts to him? 

Answer — No. 

186. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Why did you not try to have the per- 
sons arrested who beat you ? 

Answer — I did not think it was any use ; I did not have any witness, 
and I was afraid they would bring some one in to swear they were not the 
persons, &c, 

_ 187. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Were the parties that whipped you 
disguised ? 

Answer — Yes, they had on white gowns, and their faces tied up with 
white clothes, and their horses with white covers on them ; they were 
armed with pistols. 

On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow at 
9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Edgefield C. H., S. C, September 15, 1869. 
Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 
Henry Barnes (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

188 Question — Are you a resident of the County of Edgefield? 
Answer — Yes. 

189. Question — How long have you lived in the County ? 
Answer — Thirty -three years. 

190. Question — In what part of the County do you live? 
Answer — I live five miles from Edgefield Court House. 

191. Question — Do you know of any acts of violence that Avcrc com- 
mitted upon any person or persons for the purpose of 2)reventing them 
from exercising the right to vote as they saw fit ? 

Answer — I do ; I heard of men that were whipped ; about six or eight 
weeks before the Presidential election I saw a colored man named Dick 
Nicholson who had been whipped very badly on his back, legs, and se- 
vere blows upon the head. 

192. Question (by Mr. Elliott) — Were you one of the Registrars? 
Answer — Yes. 

193. Question — Did you serve as a Registrar for the late general elec- 
tion ? 

Answer — No ; I was afraid. 

J 94, Question — Why were you afraid ? 

Answer — I was threatened by the Democrats at Pleasant Lane, for 
which place I was appointed, that if Lawrence Cain and myself came 
back there we would not get off as well as we did on a previous occasion. 
They also said no damned nigger should stand over them and count votes 



696 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



at that poll ; if we attempted to, we would count tlieiu iii liell, for we 
might rest assured they would have the election as they wanted it at dif- 
ferent places, or kill every damned Radical. 

195. Question — Do you know the names of the men Avho made those 
threats ? 

Answer — Yes ; Mr. James Mason and one Henderson, and several 
others, whose names I do not know. 

Philip Johnson (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

196. Question — Are you a resident of Edgefield County ? 

Answer — Yes ; born and bred in the County, and resided at Edgefield 
Court House for three years. 

197. Question — Were you here during the six months next preceding 
the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

198. Question — Do you or do you not know of any outrages, acts of 
violence, or means of intimidation used, whereby persons were prevented 
from voting as they desired ? 

Answer — No. 

199. Question — Were you or were you not in town the night Mr. 
Root's house was fired into ? 

Answer — No ; but I was in town when Mr. Root's store was broken 
into ; I saw the parties when they broke into the store ; I sent Mr. Law- 
rence Galloway, who was with me at the time, to Mr. Root's house to 
wake him up and inform him of what was going on ; the soldiers who 
were guarding Mr. Root's house came up to see who were breaking into 
the store ; as they came up, the crowd ran off"; John Gray was the leader 
of the party, and there were three soldiers in the crowd ; their names I do 
not know. About two hours previous to this occurrence John Gray, Mr. 
Tompkins (shoemaker at this place) and Luke Smith came to my store, 
hallooing at the door ; I opened it, and they came in and asked me to 
take a drink with them ; I refused ; John Gray then fired his pistol at 
the ceiling, and the place where the ball entered is now visible ; they then 
went out, and I watched them, and saw them go to Mr. Root's store. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned until 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M., and pro- 
ceeded to business. 

Augustus Simpkins, (colored,) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

200. Question — How long have you lived in the State of South Caro- 
lina and in the County of Edgefield ? 

Answer — All my life. 

201. Question — In what part of the County do you live? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 697 



Answer — Edgefield Court House, within the incorporation. 

202. Question — What is your occupation ? 
Answer — Harness-maker. 

203. Question — Please give us a statement of the political state of 
affiiirs that have existed in this County since March 2, 1867, until No- 
vember 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — The polls were not open on the 3d of November, 1868 ; and, 
if they had been, I would have been afraid to vote. 

204. Question — Why would you have been afraid to vote ? 

Answer — Because I had heard of threats having been made, and certain 
men were picked out to be killed, if they voted the Radical ticket. 

205. Question — What was the spirit that the Republicans in this County 
manifested toward the Democrats ? Was it kindly or otherwise ? 

Answer — It was kindly. 

206. Question — Did they or did they not manifest a desire to conciliate 
the Democrats and be on friendly terms with them ? 

Answer — Yes ; they did manifest such a desire. 

207. Question — What was the spirit that the Democi-ats generally 
manifested toward the Republicans ? Was it kindly or otherwise ? 

Answer — It was unkindly. 

208. Question — With the knowledge that you possess of the political 
state of aflairs that existed prior to the late general election, could, or 
could not, a fair and impartial election have been held in this County ? 

Answer — I don't believe it could have been. 

Jesse Williams, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Crews : 

209. Question — Are you a citizen of this County ? 

Answer — Yes, and resided in this County all my life ; and reside seven- 
teen miles from Edgefield Court House now. 

210. Question — What is your age? 
Answer — Twenty-four years. 

211. Question — Where were you living in November last? 
Answer — About nineteen miles from the Court House. 

212. Question — Did you vote at the last general election? 

Answer — No, because I had to run off on the day the election was to 
have been held. Press BlaclcAvell and William Mims told me that I 
would have to go to Abbeville and vote the Democratic ticket ; and, if I 
refused, they would beat me and make me go ; and, rather than do that, 
I left and went to Georgia. 

213. Question — Did you hear any threats made against Republicans? 
Answer — Yes ; the Democrats said, if we did not vote with them, we 

would be killed. 

214. Question — Do you know of any person having been killed ? 
Answer — Yes ; William Stone and his son William were killed, and 

Alex. Rountree was wounded ; they were all colored men. 

215. Question — Did you see the wounds received by Rountree? 
Answer — Yes. 

216. Question — Did you see any persons whipped ? 

Answer — Yes ; the day I left for Georgia, and when near Liberty Hill, 



698 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



eighteen miles from Edgefield Court House, I saw five colored men 
whipped. 

217. Question — Did you know the men who whipped the colored men ? 
Answer — I knew one — Press. Blackwell ; but the others I did not 

know. 

218. Question — Did they say why they whipped the colored men? 
Answer — Yes ; they Avere stripped naked and laid on the ground ; and, 

after whipping them, the white men told them they Avhipped them 
for attempting to go to the election to vote the Radical ticket. 

On motion, at 5 P. M,, the Conmiittee adjourned, to meet to-mon-ow at 
9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Edgefield C. H., S. C, September 16, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 

A quorum being present the Committee proceeded to business. 

Hampton Minis, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

219. Question — Are you a resident of this County ? 
Answer — Yes. 

220. Question — How long have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — x\bout forty years. 

221. Question — In what part of the County do you reside? 
Answer — About four miles from Edgefield Court House. 

222. Question — Were you in the County during the six months next 
preceding the late general election, November 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — Yes. 

223. Question — Please state what was the general feeling in the 
County prior to the late general election, in relation to political afi'airs. 

Answer — The Democrats were not friendly with the Republicans. I 
heard a good deal of threats being made by the Democratic party. 

224. Question — What kind of threats ? 

Answer — That the Radicals would be without homes, and they would 
be bushwhacked. 

225. Question — Do you know of any outrages and acts of violence 
used to prevent any persons in this County from voting as they desired '! 

Answer — No ; only what I heard. 

226. Question — Were you in town the night Mr. Root's house was 
fired into ? 

Answer — No ; but I examined his house next day, and saw the marks 
of the assault ; the door was bi'oken. 

227. Question — Did you attend any of the political meetings at this 
place ? 

Answer — Only Republican Club meetings. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 699 



228. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — Was there, to your knowledge, any 
person killed in this County during the last Presidential campaign, on 
account of his political opinions ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

^'Id. Question — Do you know of any murderer having been aided by 
any citizen of Edgefield County in escaping from justice during the late 
Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — No. 

230. Question— Do you know of any steps having been taken by any 
political organization in this County, to prevent an election being held 
November 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — No. 

231. Que-stiou — Was there, to your knowledge, any officer of the law 
set at defiance during the late Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — No. 

232. Question — Do you know whether there were any political organ- 
izations in Edgefield County during the late Presidential campaign whose 
object was to prevent the civil laAV being enforced against any of their 
partisans ? 

Answer — No, 

233. Question — Did you, during the Presidential campaign, hear any 
member of the Democratic })arty in Edgefield County advise or encour- 
age acts of violence and outrage if 

Answer — No 

234. Question — Were you a member of the Republican party during 
the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — Yes. 

235. Question (by Mr. AV right) — Did you ever see a person here in 
this County who was said to be a murderer ? 

Answer — Yes ; I saw one the people did say was a murderer. 
23o. Question — AVas it the general talk that he was a murderer ? 
Answer — Yes. 

237. Question — Who was he ? 
Answer — Elbert Ryans. 

238. Question — Whom did he murder ? 

Answer — A colored man named Martin, living near Pine Ilouse. 

239. Question^ — Do you know of any other nmrder in tliis County ? 
Answer — No. 

240. Question — You have stated that you don't know of any instance 
where a civil officer was set at defiance ; will you tell us who were the 
civil officers liere from about March 2, 1867, down to November 3, 18G8? 

Answ'er — I don't know who were the civil officers. 

241. Question — Then, if any person attempting to make an arrest was 
resisted, you didn't know whetlier he was an officer or not ? 

Answer — I did not know, 

242. Question — You stated that you belonged to the Union Republi- 
can party, and that you did not know of any organization whose object 
was to prevent the execution of the civil law ; did you at that time, or do 
you now know anything about the object for which the Democratic Clubs 
have been and are formed ? 

Answer — No. 

88 



700 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



243. Question — Have you not heard persons say that the negro Legis- 
lature was an unlawful body ? 

Answer — Yes. 

244. Question — Was it Democrats or Republicans that you heard say 
that? 

Answer — Democrats. 

245. Question — Have you, or have you not, heard persons say that the 
laws which were made by the negro Legislature were null and void, and 
should not be obeyed ? 

Answer — Yes. 

246. Question — Was it Democrats or Republicans that you heard use 
these expressions ? 

Answer — Democrats. 

247. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You stated that a man named Ryans 
killed a man named Martin ; now, do you know that to be a fact, or did 
you just hear it? \ 

Answer — I heard the people say so. 

Jerry Oliphant, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Bryant: 

248. Q,uestion — Please state your age and occupation ? where you re- 
side, and how long you have resided there ? 

Answer — I am 61 years old ; am a farmer ; I live in Edgefield County, 
about seven miles west of the court house ; resided there since Christ- 
mas. 

249. Question — Where did you reside during the months of August, 
September, October and November, 186S ? 

Answer — About twenty-one miles from the court house, in the upper 
edge of the Dark Corner. 

250. Question — Was there, to your knowledge, any person killed in 
this County during the months just referred to, on account of his jwlitical 
opinions ? 

Answei" — Yes. 

251. Question — Please state who he was, and all you know in relation 
to his being killed ? 

Answer — The first one I know of I found dead, (I was told his name 
was Spencer Holmes ) He was a colored man. I found him on a creek 
in a raft. I went to a Squire, and he came there and said to dig a hole 
and bury him, and have no more to say about him, and whoever set the 
raft on fire would lay themselves liable to be hung. 

252. Question — What was the name of the Magistrate who made use 
of this language ? 

Answer — George Nixon. 

25B. Question — Do you know of any other person having been killed 
during the months referred to on account of his political opinions ? 

Answer — I heard of three others, but I know nothing of the circum- 
stances. 

254. Question — Do you know of any person whipped or otherwise mal- 
treated on account of his politics ? if so, state. 

Answer — Yes ; I was whipped. Squire Dorn and Phillip Rutlcdge had 
been after me to join the Democrats, and they wanted me to go to a bar- 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 701 



becue, at Dora's gold mine, which took pLice Saturday before the day of 
the general election, but I was sick, and couldn't go. When they re- 
turned on Saturday night from the barbecue, they stopped at my house, 
but did nothing. On Sunday night, about midnight, a party of white 
men came to my house. My sou heard them coming, and jumped out of 
the window with his gun, and ran. They said : " Yonder he goes," and 
they shot at him about ten or fifteen times, but did not hit him, and they 
then went off. I was at the time within fifty or sixty yards of them. 
On Tuesday, about 4 o'clock in the evening, a party of about twenty-five 
white men came to my house, rode up and called my name, and said I 
M'as the veiy one they wanted. I went to the door, and they ordered me 
out into the road. They went into my house, broke open my chest, and 
took my ]jocket-book with twenty-five dollars in it. After they ransacked 
my house they carried me about a quarter of a mile, stripped me naked, 
laid me on the ground, stamped me in the back with their boot-heels, 
and whipped me with a paddle. They then told me to get up and run. 
I ran about fifty yards, and while running, each one struck me. 

255 Question — Did you know any of this party ? 

Answer — Yes ; Rcjbert Bell, Plem Corley, Dick Reynolds, Warley 
Reynoldstand Jim Tilghman ; the others I did not know. 

1^56. Question — Were these men disguised ? 

Answer — No. 

257. Question — Where do these men live you have just named ? 
Answer — In this County. 

258. Question — Did you attempt to have a warrant issued for them ? 
Answer — No ; I came down to the Court House, but I was told that 

the men were here to guard the town, and not to do business in the 
country. 

259. Question — Do you know of any other person being whipped? 
Answer — Yes ; David Robinson was whipped the same time I was, and 

by the same party. 

26U. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Did they tell you what they whip- 
ped you for ? 

Answer — Because I started to go to the election. 

261. Question — Were those two men who asked you to join the De- 
mocrats the party that whipped you ? 

Answer — No. 

262. Question — How long was it before they whipped, that they asked 
you to go to their barbecue ? 

Answer — On Friday they asked me to go to the barbecue on Satur- 
day. On Sunday they fired at my son, and on Tuesday they whipped 
me. 

263. Question — Did you go to the barbecue, as they requested ? 
Answer — No. 

264. Question — Were those men that whipped you armed ? 
Answer — Yes, they all had pistols. 

205. Question — After they had driven you a quarter of a mile from 
your place, as you have stated, did they attempt to shoot at you ? 
Answer — No. 

266. Question — What did they say ? 
Answer — Some said : " Let us kill the d — d Radical, and do away with 



702 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



liiiii ;" others said : " No ; weAvontkiil him ; but, wlieu we are done with 
him, he will think he is dead." 

267. Question — Did you hear any words that were spoken to the other 
man you saw whipped ? 

Answer — No ; when they got me there, they had just let him up, and 
were yet whipping him with straps. 

26S. Question — What was his condition when you saw him ? 

Answer — He was naked and bleeding, and exclaimed, " Lord, have 
mercy on me !" 

Ou motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 
David Harris (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

269. Question — Please state whether you are a resident of thi^ County ; 
and, if so, how long you have resided here ? 

Answer — I am a resident of the County ; was born in this State, and 
have resided at Edgefield C. H. for six years; 

270. Question — Were you here during the six months next preceding 
the late general election ? 

Answer— Yes. 

271. Question— Please state what was the general feeling between the 
members of the Democratic and Republican jxarties in this County du- 
ring that time ? 

Answer — There was a general prejudice among the Democrats against 
the Republicans. 

272. Question — Were, or were not, the Republicans disposed to be 
friendly to the Democrats ? 

Answer — They were disposed to be friendly. 

273. Question — Do you, or do you not, know of any outrages, acts of 
violence or means of intimidation used to prevent persons from voting as 
they desired '( 

Answer — I do not, to my own knowledge. 

274. Question — Do you, or do you not, know of any persons having 
been whipped or shot on account of their political opinions ? 

Answer — I saw one man who had been shot through the ear, and 
others who told me they had been whipped on that account. 

275. Question — Do you, or do you not, recollect the names of those 
persons ? 

Answer — No ; they would come to me, and I would tell them to go to 
a Magistrate. 

276. Question — Were you or were you not in town the night Mr. Root's 
house Avas fired into ? 

Answer — Yes. 

277. Question — Did you see the parties who fired ? 

Answer — No ; I was in my house, and heard the shooting and noise 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 703 



made by rocks thrown agaiust the house. I was expecting they woiikl 
attack my house the same evening, but they did not. 

278. Question — Did you examine j\Ir. Koot's house the next day ? 
Answer — Yes. 

279. Question — Please state what was the appearance and condition of 
the house. 

Answer — One of the panels of the door was knocked out, and the 
house scarred by the rocks thrown at it. 

280. Question — From what you saw and knew of the bitter feeling 
which existed in this community prior to the late general election, was it, 
or Avas it not, dangerous for any Republican to have openly expressed his 
political sentiments ? 

Answer — I think it was dangerous. 

281. Question (by Mr Bryant) — Was there, to your knowledge, any 
officer of the law set at defiance during the Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — Not to my knowledge. 

282. Question — Were there, to your knowledge, political organizations 
in this County, during the Presidential campaign, whose object w.as to 
prevent the civil law from being enforced against any of their partisans ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

283 Question — Was there, to your knowledge, any murderer aided by 
any citizen of Edgefield County, during the last Presidential campaign, 
to escape from justice ? 

Answer — Not that I know of. 

28-1. Question — During the Presidential campaign, did you hear any 
Democratic speaker of Edgefield County advise or encourage the use of 
compulsive measures to prevent colored persons from voting the Republi- 
can ticket ? 

Answer — No ; I never attendeed any of their meetings. 

285. Question (by Mr. Wright) — During the Presidential campaign, 
do you know of any civil officer of the law arresting or attempting to 
arrest any person for violating the law ? 

Answer — No. 

llSG. Question — Do you know of any steps being taken by the civil 
authorities to seek out and arrest the persons who made the attack on 
the house of Mr Root ? 

Answer — I do not. 

287. Question — Did not the attack which they made upon his house 
at that time create a great deal of confusion in the town during that 
time ? 

Answer — Yes. 

288. Question — You have stated that you expected to be attacked that 
same evening. Why did you expect an attack ? 

Answer — We had just returned from the Legislature. I heard them 
at Mr. Root's house, and, in consequence of the bitter feeling which they 
exhibited towards members of the Legislature, I expected to be attacked 
also. 

289. Question — You stated that you saw one person who had been 
shot through the ear, and others who told you they had been whipped. 
Did others, who told you they had beea whipped, show marks of vio- 
lence ? 



704 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — Yes; upon the head. 

On motion, at 6 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow 



at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Hamburg, S. C, Sept. 27, 1869. 

The Committee met this day in the Town Hall, at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. . 
Prince R. Rivers, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

290. Question — Do you live in this County ? if so, state where and how 
long you have lived there ? your age ajid occupation i* 

Answer — I live in this County, at Hamburg, and have resided here 
three years ; am 49 years of age, and at present a Magistrate. 

291. Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations, or threats, 
committed in this County duriug the late Presidential campaign ? 

Answer — Only from information received. 

292 Question — Do you know the reason Avhy there was no election 
held here November 3, 18C8? 

Answer — Because the Commissioners of Election failed to act. 

293. Question — Do you know why they failed to act? 

Answer— There were two Boards of Commissioners appointed. The 
first Board consisted of Mr. Frank Arnim, Mr. J. J. Kennedy and my- 
self Messrs. Arnim and Kennedy refused to serve, consequently another 
Board was appointed, consisting of Mr. Truman Root, Mr. Levi Hill and 
Mr. Lawrence Cain. I do not know why the second Board failed to 
act. 

Hampton Key, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

294. Question — Are you a resident of Edgefield County? if so, state in 
what part of the County you reside, and how long you have resided 
there ? 

Answer — I am a resident of Edgefield County, and live two and a 
half miles from Hamburg, and have lived thei'e about a year. I was 
born and raised in this County. 

295. Question — In what part of the County did you reside prior to that 
time ? 

Answer — About twenty-four miles from Hamburg, in Red Hill pre- 
cinct. 

296. Question — Do you knoAv of any outrages, acts of violence com- 
mitted, or means of intimidation used to prevent persons from express- 
ing their political sentiments, or voting as they desired ? 

Answer — Yes ; I was run off from Red Hill precinct, where I resided, 
because I was a Republican. A short time prior to the day the general 



Note.— Three flays' proceedings at Edgefield C. H., viz.: September 
17th, 21st and 22d, and which should have followed, in regular order, the 
16th day's proceedings, were inadvertently omitted at the proper place in 
the book, and may be found appended, beginning on page 713. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 705 



election was to have been held in this County, a party of white men, 
among whom were Wyatt Holmes, Toles Culbreth, Wm. Holmes, AVm. 
Parkman, Jefferson Briggs and Ben. Glanton, came to my gate, called me 
out, and gave me orders to leave the State, saying I was too much of a 
Radical, and was engaged in giving advice to all the colored people in 
my neighborhood to vote the Kadical ticket. They told me I must leave 
as quick as possible. A few days previous to this visit I found in my 
front yard a bundle of switches tied together, with a paper attached, on 
which was written a notice to leave the settlement in five days, or I would 
receive five hundred lashes, or be put in my grave ; the paper had a draft 
of a coffin on it, and Avas signed K. K. K. 

297. Question — From what you saw and knew of the condition of af- 
fairs prior to the 3d of November, 1868, did you or did you not regard it 
as safe for any Republican to have openly expressed his political senti- 
ments in this County? 

Answer — It was not safe. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 

Frank Arnim, sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Wright: 

298. Question — Are you a citizen of South Carolina, and of the County 
of Edgefield ? 

Answer — Yes ; according to the Constitution. 

299. Question — Please state how long you have resided in the County 
of Edgefield, and in what part of the County you live? 

Answer — I have resided in Edgefield about four years, and within the 
vicinity of Hamburg. 

300. Question — I)o you hold any State office at the present time? 
and if so, state what. 

Answer — I em a member of the State Senate. 

801. Question — Do you know of any outrages, or means of intimida- 
tion, usetl by any party to prevent another party from exercising the 
right to vote as they saw fit at any election that was held previous to the 
3d day of November, 1808 ? 

Answer — I do not. 

302. Question — -Did, or did not, a person approach you at one time, 
when you were returning from the General Assembly, and threaten you 
wdth violence, on account of your being a member of that body ? 

Answer — Not directly myself. 

3u3. Question — On your return from the General Assembly, in com- 
pany with another member of the General Assembly, did, or did you not, 
hear violent and threatenig language used towards tiiat member ? 

Answer — I did ; I heard a rough conversation, and turning around, I 
discovered Mr. Root ; and hearing abusive language directed towards him by 
a white man living in Edgefield County, asking him how he came to rep- 



706 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



resent the people of Edgefield Couuty, seeing Mr. Root in an uneasy situ- 
ation, I asked him to take a seat with rue, as I was well provided to take 
care of such fellows as the man who was abusing him. Mr. Root changed 
his seat. He took off his hat and showed a false beard he had in it, and 
asked me if I would advise him to put it on to disguise himself. I said, 
" No ; if they want light, we can fight them." At the next station that 
man left the cars, and we had no more trouble. All this occurred^ in 
March, 18G9. 

804. Question — Have you, or have you not, held political meetings in 
this County ? 

Answer — Yes. 

805. Question — Have you, or have you not, while at those meetings, 
heard threatening language towards you ? 

Answer — Yes. 

006. Question — Was there an election held in this County on the 
3d day of November, 1868, for President and Vice-President? 

Answer — No. 

007. Question — Can you state the reason why there was no election 
held ? 

Answer — I cannot state the reason. 

308. Question — Who were appointed as Commissioners of Election for 
that time ? 

Answer — Mr. P. R. Rivers, J. J. Kennedy, Frank Arnim, Levi Hill, 
L. Cain and Truman Root. 

309. Question — Then, from your statement, there were two Boards of 
Commissioners appointed ; were there not ? 

Answer — Yes ; one after the other. 

310. Question — Were you appointed on either of those Boards? and 
if so, please state whether you were appointed upon the first or the last 
Board. 

Answei' — Yes ; upoji the first Board. 

311. Question — Did, or did not, the first Board serve as Commission- 
ers of Election ? 

Answer — No. 

312. Question — Please give the names, if you know them, of the per- 
sons who were appointed on the second Board. 

Ans\Yer — Messrs. Hill, Cain and Root. 

313. Question — -Did tlie first Board have a meeting at all ? 
Answer — No. 

314. Question — Can you tell us why the second Board did not serve? 
Answer — No. 

315. Question — On what railroad was it that this threatening language 
■was used towards ]\Ir. Root ? 

Answer — On the Columbia and Augusta Railroad. 

316. Question — Where did Mr. Root get off at that time ? 
Answer — I cannot tell. 

On motion, at 5 P. M. the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow at 
9 A. M. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRI8TICT, S. C, 707 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 

Third Congressional District, 
Hamburg, S. C, September 28, 1861). 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 
Samuel J. Lee (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

317. Question — Do you live in this County? if so, state where and 
how long you have lived there ; your age and occupation. 

Answer — I live in this County, in the vicinity of Hamburg ; resided 
there for three and a half years ; twenty-five years of age, and a farmer. 

318. Question — Do you hold any public office? if so, state what. 
Answer — A member of the Legislature and County Commissioner. 

319. Question — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations or threats 
committed during the Presidential campaign ? and if so, state. 

Answer — I do. I have been threatened in this town, (Hamburg ;) 
also, at Cherokee Ponds. In town the parties who threatened me were 
from the country. I do not know their names ; they were white men ; 
they would meet me on the street, ask me what I was doing ; and, when 
I would tell them, they would say, " if you don't stop going about instruct- 
ing the negroes Ave will take you out and hang you." Pistols were drawn 
on me at Cherokee Ponds by white men. I went there to addrees a meet- 
ing of Republicans. A crowd of white men rode up whilst I was speak- 
ing, called me a d — d son of a b — h, and ordered me down from the 
stand, saying if I did not they would shoot me, at the same time present- 
ing their pistols to enforce the command. I refused to do so, and ap- 
pealed to the audience to protect me. They told the white men they had. 
invited me there, and intended to protect me. On leaving the meeting, 
I heard firing in the direction the white men went. At this same meeting I 
heard them threaten Augustus Robinson that if they caught him there 
again speaking tQ niggers they would shoot sixty balls in him. As we Avere 
proceeding to the meeting, we met two white men on the road, who ad- 
vised us not to go there to speak, as they believed, from Avhat they had 
heard, that we would not get away alive. On the night of the 2d of No- 
vember, 1868, a party rode up near my house, and met my brother at 
the gate, and inquired for me ; I heard this He told them I was not at 
liome. He asked " what they Avanted with me ?" They replied : " It 
Avas none of his business, but for him to tell me when I came home to 
come up the road to Mr. Phillips', they wanted to see me." I kncAV one 
of the men — George C. Robinson. A feAV nights afterwards, a similar 
crowd came up the road to the gate opposite my house, and Avhooped and 
hallooed, cursed Radicals, and fired pistols, and then left. 

320. Question — From Avhat you saAV and knew of the political condi- 
tion of afiairs in this County, Avas it safe for a person to go through the 
County and make speeches in the interest of Grant and Colfax ? 

Answer — It Avas not- 
89 



708 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Richard Swann (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

321. Question — Where did you live before the third day of November, 
1868? 

Answer — In the State of South Carolina, in Edgefield County, in 
White House Precinct ? 

32"2. Question — Did you vote at White House Precinct ? 

Answer — Yes. 

323. Question — When did you leave that place ? 
Answer — September, 1868. 

324. Question — Why did you leave there ? 

Answer — I was living with Mr. Sanders. There was a })arty of men 
wlio wanted me to join the Democrats, and I refused to do so. One day 
I was in the field working ; a white man came to me and asked me if I 
Avould go up and join the Democrats, and I told him I would not. He 
then stripped me naked, laid me ujion my back, put his foot on my head, 
and whipped me, giving me a hundred and fifty lashes with a buggy trace. 
There was another man with him. The man who whipped me was Press 
Blackwell, and the man in his company Avas James Tompkins. After 
this, I went to my house, on the man's place. I worked for him and re- 
mained two months. A crowd of white and colored men came there, 
took from me twenty-five head of fowls, and said that if I came out of the 
house it would be the last of me, unless I joined their company ; but if I 
joined their company it would be all right. I then left and came to 
Hamburg, and have been here ever since. 

325. Question — When they were whipping you did they say what they 
were whipping you for ? 

Answer — Yes ; they asked me who I voted for, and I told them I did 
not know who I voted for ; and the reason I said this was I wanted to get 
oft' the best way I could, but I did know ; they said if I would vote the 
Democratic ticket I would be protected, and if not, I should have no 
protection at all, but should go to my d — d Yankee ; they came to me 
repeatedly after that, and told me I must make up my mind ; I, fearing 
they would take my life, came away in the night and left everything I 
had ; I have seen persons in the vicinity in which I livod with false faces 
on, armed and mounted ; I always shunned them, so they could not see 
me ; I never saw them except at night. 

On motion, at 1 P. M , the Committee adjourned, to meet at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 3 P. M. 
Edward Tennent (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

326. Question — How long have you lived in the State of South Caro- 
lina, and in the County of Edgefield ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 709 



Answer — I was born and bred in the State, and live in the County of 
Edgefiehl. 

327. Question — In what part of this County did you live previous to 
the late general election ? 

Answer — In Pleasant Lane precinct, 

328. Question — Do you know of an}' outrages that were committed 
upon any person or persons, or any means that were employed for the 
purpose of intimidating persons and preventing them from exercising the 
right of voting as they desired. 

Answer — I do ; I was threatened, and persons said that in South 
Carolina I should not stay ; the persons who said so were white 
men named Joe Merri weather, George Tilghman, William Suowden 
Merriweather, William Scott, George Nixon and others ; they came 
to my house at night ; I was threatened at another time by the 
same party of men ; they came to the place where I was working 
and said I had better leave the State; if I did not I would be killed, as I 
was a delegate to a nominating Convention, and was instructing the ne- 
groes ; I remained there about one month, and then left and came to Ham- 
burg ; Benjamin Thurmau was threatened by the same men and at the 
same time I was. On the od day of November last, the day the election 
was to have been held, a party of armed men laid at Steven's Creek, at 
Garrard's old bridge, to v.aylay us ; at an election previous to that they 
said if we came to an election across that creek again that a portion of 
us would be left there ; we went near enough to the bridge to see them 
and turned back ; we had heard tliere was not to be an election held on 
that day, but having heard that they were to be at that place to prevent 
our crossing, we went to see whether they were there or no(. 

Spencer Daring (colored) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Mclntyre : 

329. Question — Are you a resident of this State and County ? if so, 
state where, and how long you have lived there, your age and occupa- 
tion. 

Answer — I am a resident of this State and County, and reside in Pine 
House precinct, and lived in the vicinity for twenty-iive years ; 1 am fifty 
years old, and am a farmer. 

830. Q,uestio'i — Do you know of any outrages, intimidations or threats 
committed dui'ing the Presidential campaign. 

Answer — I do. I was President of a Union Club. My life was threat- 
ened, and I had to lay out every night for two weeks, ('linton Ward, a 
white man, told me that my name had been called in the Democratic 
Club, and I must leave, or be killed. 

Aleck Tompkins (colored) sworn. 

Direct examination by Mr, Wright : 

331. Question — Where did you live previous to the late general elec- 
tion? 

Answer — In the County of Edgeiield, in the Dark Corner. 

332. Question — How long have you lived in the County of Edgelield ? 
Answer — Born and raised here. 

333. Question — Where do you live at the present time? 
Answer — In Georgia, 



10 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



334. Question — When did you leave the Dark Corner ? 
Answer — About a year ago. 

335. Question — Why did you leave the Dark Corner? 

Answer — A party of men, known as the Ku Klux, came to my house, 
called for me, and fired upon me three times. They said that I was a 
Republican, and every d — d black and white Republican should be killed 
after the election was over ; and every Yankee that there was, they 
would rob their pockets and mine too. The parties were Gabriel Tomp- 
kins, Jake Gilchrist, Joshua Briggs, Charles Tucker and others. These 
parties, just named, came to me and wanted me to join the Democratic 
Club ; but I would not. They said that if I did not, they would kill me, 
carry me, and cast me into the river. 

336. Question — How long was it, after that, until you left the place ? 
Answer — The last time they interrupted me was at night. I had been 

laying out a day and a night, and I left the next morning. When they 
came to my house, they were armed with guns and pistols. 

Rose Bussey (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by IVIr. Wright : 

337. Question— Where do you reside? 

Answer — In this County, about ten miles from Hamburg. 

338. Question — Did any party or parties ever come to your house, 
and commit violence upon you ? 

Answer — Yes. Some time last fall, a party of white men came to my 
house and inquired for my husband. I told them he was out. They 
requested me to make up a light, and open the door, and I did so. They 
all came in, with their pistols in their hands, (there were fifteen of them) ; 
they searched the house, broke the lock ott" the trunk, and took the gun. 
They then kicked me and my daughter, and told us to tell my husband 
that they were Ku Klux, from Georgia, who had come to kill him. 
They made me go out and show^ them where another old man, named 
Alexander, lived. They then left. Two of the party were Joseph Deri- 
cho, and David Glover. The rest I did not knoAV. 

On motion, at 5:30 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow 
at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Hamburg, S. C, September 2, 1869. 
Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 

Jerry Addison, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

339. Question — Are you a resident of Edgefield County ? 
AnsAver — Yes, and a native of the State. 

340. Question — Please state in what part of the County you reside, 
how long you have resided there, your age and occupation. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 711 



Answer — I live iu Grauiteville, and lived there about four years ; 
sixty-two years of age, and am a Farmer. 

341. Question — Do you, or do you not, know of any outrages, acts of 
violence committed; or other means of intimidation used, prior to the 
late general election, to prevent persons from openly expressing their 
j)olitical sentiments or voting as they desired ? 

Answer — Mr. Gregg, who is Superintendent of the Grauiteville Fac- 
tory, said to me that, if I voted the Republican ticket, I should perish 
for want of employment. Whilst I was at work in the Company's garden 
he ordered me out, and gave orders to persons who were in the employ- 
ment of the Company not to employ me. At the election in June, 1868, 
Mr. Prescott put his fist in my face, and tried to take a stick from 
another man to strike me, because I was distributing Republican tickets. 
He said, if they could turn me, they could get the other colored men in 
Grauiteville to vote the Democratic ticket. 

842. Question (by Mr. Mclntyre) — Do you know of any other outrage 
or means of intimidation used ? 

Answer — Yes ; at a meeting, which w\as called at Grauiteville previous 
to the Presidential election, Mr. Elliott was invited to deliver an address. 
While delivering the address, a crowd of white meu, who were employed 
iu the factory, came out, approached the stand, led by one John Piatt. 
The first I heard was a pistol snap, and I heard the words " shoot him." 
Samuel Giles said " take him down from the stand," and jMr. John Pres- 
cott ran up with a stick in his hand and held it in a threatening manner. 
Mr. AVilliam Randall snatched a stick from the hand of a colored mau, 

wdio was near the stand, and said " stand back, God d n you, I will 

kill you.'' John Piatt threw up his left hand, and his right hand under 

his coat tail ; said to Mr. Elliott, "You G — d d d beast, don't you speak 

another word, or I will mob you." Mr. Elliott said " he would stay and 
speak as long as it was necessary." 

343. Question — Was the language used by Mr. Elliott on that occasion 
inflammatory, or not ? 

Answer — No ; for some of the white people told me afterwards that 
they were sorry the disturbance occurred, as they desired to hear ]\[r. 
Elliott. 

Levi Hill swoi'ii. 

Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

344. Question — Are you a resident of this State ? if so, please state 
how long you have resided in this County, in what portion you reside, 
your age and occupation. 

Answer — I am a resident of this County ; was born and raised in it. 
I reside in Hamburg ; I am nearly sixty-five years old, and have no other 
occupation than that of a Notary Public. 

345. Question — Were you in the County during the six months next 
preceding the late general election ? 

Answer — I was. 

346. Question — Were you, or were you not, appointed a Commissioner 
of Election ? 

Answer — I was. 



712 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



347. Question — Did you, or did you not, perform the duties of your 
office? 

Answer — ^I started out to perform the duty of Commissioner, but did 
not, 

348. Question — Please state why you did not. 

Answer — Because I was afraid to do so, after having seen and been in- 
formed of the assaults and injuries done Mr. Root's house and person. I 
called at Mr. Root's house directly after having arrived at Edgefield 
Court House, and had an interview with him. He showed me the bullet 
holes in his window, and where the balls entered the wall just to the right 
of the door of the entry of the hall. He told me that Mrs. Root had 
gone to the door of the hall to beg the men to desist from mashing in tlie 
outer door or door of the entry to the house. During the interview with 
jNIr. Root, he told me he had declined serving as Commissioner of Elec- 
tions, and sent his resignation to the Governor. After having this inter- 
view with Mr. Root, and hearing all the circumstances, I Avas afraid to 
proceed with the election, for fear that I might share the same fate of 
Mr. Root, or even worse. I was afraid my life might be taken, and so ex- 
pressed myself to some of the citizens of the village, though they 
endeavored to persuade me that I would not be hurt. In consequence of 
all these facts, I resigned and sent my resignation to the Governor, and 
I stated the reason as above for so doing. I then returned home. 

On motion, the Committee then adjourned. 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, 8. C. 713 



Note. — The three days' proceedings whicli follow here, viz.: September 
17th, 21st and 22d, and which should have followed, in regular order, the 
proceedings of the 16th, were inadvertently omitted at the proper place in 
the book. See page 704. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Edgefield G. H., S. C, September 17, 1869. 
Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 
D. A. Foskett sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright: 

349. Question — How long have you resided in the State of South 
Carolina, and in the County of Edgefield? 

Answer — In the State about five years, and in the County three years. 

350. Question — In what part of the County did you reside the six 
months previous to the late general election ? 

Answer — On Horse Creek, twelve miles from Edgefield Court House, 
nine miles from Aiken, and eight miles from Graniteville. 

351. Question — Have you ever attended any election in that precinct? 
Answer" — No ; because I have been absent when elections were held. 

352. Question — Will you please give us a statement of the political 
state of affairs as they came under your observation, commencing March, 
1867, and continuing to November 3, 1868? 

Answer — The general feeling has been very bitter against the Radical 
party by the Democrats, or so-called Democrats. I am well aware that 
threats have been made by those having lands that freedmen should not 
have work, unless they voted their way, (the Democratic ticket ) 

No other witness being in attendance, the Clerk was directed to issue 
summonses for witnesses to appear on Tuesday next. 

The Committee then adjourned, to meet on Tuesday next, at 9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 
Edgefield, C. H., S. C, September 21, 1869. 
Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 
James Martin, (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

353. Question — How long have you lived in the State of South 
Carolina, and in the County of Edgefield ? 

Answer — Born and raised in the State. 

354. Question— How far do you live from the Court House ? 

90 



714 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer- — Four miles. 

355. Question — What is the name of the voting precinct in which you 
reside ? 

Answer — Pine House ; moved there January last. 

356. Question — Where did you reside previous to the general election ? 
Answer — At Colliersville ; 15 miles from Pleasant Lane voting poll, 

and 9 miles from the Court House ; it was known as Colliersville voting 
precinct. 

357. Question — Did you vote on the od day of November last? 
Answer — No ; there was no election held that day in this County. 

358. Question — Do you know of any outrages that were perpetrated 
upon any person or persons on account of their political principles ? 

Answer — Yes. 

359. Question — Please state what outrages you know of? 

Answer — The person w'ith whom I lived, (Mr. Wood,) asked me, if I 
was going to the poll on the third day of November ; I stated that I was. 
He said : " There may as many of you start as want to, but you will 
never get there." I asked him the reason why. He said : " They were 
going to way-lay the road, stop us and kill us, before we should go there " 
A neighbor of Mr. Wood's approached me one day, and inquired if I 
intended to go to the polls. I said " yes ; you know when I say I am 
going to do a thing I will do it." He said : " We intend to kill every one 
who starts there, for no d d nigger shall vote in this County." 

360. Question — Did any person cause you to leave the place at which 
you were living prior to the late general election ? 

Answer — Yes. 

361. Question — Who was it that caused you to leave ? 
Ans\Yer — Lee Holsen and Mr. Woods ? 

362. Question — What Avas said or done to you that caused you to 
leave ? 

Answer — Mr. Holsen came to me, and asked me if I had heard the new's. 
I said no. He said he had it for me ; that they had held a meeting on 
Saturday, and the Club had passed a law that a number of others and 
myself had to leave. I then asked him what I had done that I should 
have to leave. He said I could not stay around there with my principles, 
voting the Radical ticket. He pulled a paper out of his pocket, saying it 
was from the Ckib, and read from it that others and m} self had to leave. 

363. Question — Did others and yourself leave. 

Answer — I left, and many others. About a week before the Presidential 
election was to take place, a crowd of persons came to my house, between 
10 and 11 o'clock at night, and called for me by name ; I made no reply ; 
they fired repeatedly in the yard, and once through my door. At an 
election previous to the Presidential election, Avhile going to the polls, I 
met two colored men, who had been to the polls to vote, who had been 
shot — one through his arm, and^the other in the side ; I saw their wounds ; 
they were my neighbors, and I talked with them. This occurred at 
Pleasant Lane voting box. 

Andrew Jackson Robinson, (colored,) SAVorn. 

Direct examination by Mr. Elliott : 

364. Question — Please state how long you have been a resident of 
Edgefield County ? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, S. C. 715 



Answer — About thi ty-two years. 

365. Question — In what part of the County do you reside ? 
Answer — About four miles from the Court House. 

366. Question — Did you reside at that place prior to the general elec- 
tion? 

Answer — No ; I lived about nine miles from the Court House, on the 
Martintown Koad, two miles from the Antioch Church. 

367. Question — Do you know of any oatrages or acts of violence com- 
mitted, or other means of intimidation used, to prevent any person or 
persons from voting in this County ? 

Answer — Y es. 

368. Question — Please state Avhat you know ? 

Answer — About ten days before the Presidential election was to come 
off", the man I lived with ( Artemas Holseu) told me if I, or my son, went 
to the Presidential election, we should never get home again. The next 
day his father (Lee Holsen) told me that I, nor any other nigger, should 
vote at that election ; and his son told me I must leave that section of 
the country, because his neighbors had told him, if he did not drive me 
oft', that I would be the cause of all of his hands voting the Radical 
ticket. 

369. Question — Did you leave at that time? 

Answer — No ; I told them I would die rather than leave my crop. 

370. Question — Do you know of any one who had been shot, whipped 
or maltreated in any manner? if so, state. 

Answer — Yes; at the election in June, 1868, at Pleasant Lane 
poll ; whilst we were sitting around the fire on the first night of 
the election, (about fourteen in number,) a party of white men came 
within thirty yards of where we were camped, and iired al)out fifty shots 
at us, striking two men named George Key and Stephney Mackay ; Key 
was shot in the abdomen, and Mackay in the I'ight arm. 

371. Question — Do you know the names of any of those men that 
fired upon your party ? 

Answer — No. 

Jacob Stuart, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Elliott: 

372. Question — Are you a resident of Edgefield County ? 
Answer — Yes ; was born and raised in the C-ounty. 

373. Question — Please state in what part of tlie County you reside, 
and how long have you resided there. 

Answer — I reside now at Pleasant Lane post office, 11 miles from the 
court house, and have resided there since January last. 

374. Question — In what part of the County did you reside prior to 
November 3, 1868 ? 

Answer — In the Dark Corner, 21 miles from Edgefield Court House. 

375. Question— Do you know of any outrages, acts of violence com- 
mitted, or other means of intimidation used, to prevent persons from vot- 
ing as they desired ? 

Answer — In the month of September, 1868, T saw a white man named 
Pleasant Jennings shoot a colored man named Charles Burton ; the ball 
passed through his ear and glanced along his neck. 



716 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



376. Question — Were they in altercation at tlie time ? 

Answer — No ; no words had passed between them ; Burton was in con- 
versation with another man named Thomas Chandley, a white man, who 
was requesting him (Burton) to deliver a message to another colored man, 
in reference to going to his place to shoe a horse Chandley said : " Tell 
old Jake, the d — d old Radical son of a b — h, to come and shoe my horse," 
he had his brandy ready for him. Jennings then said, " He is naturally a 
God d — d fool," and at once drew his pistol and fired at Burton. 

377. Question — Do you know of any threats made by any person prior 
to the late general election, against others, on account of their political 
sentiments ? 

Answer — Yes ; it was general talk throughout the settlement in which 
I lived, among the white landholders, that no colored man would be al- 
lowed to remain on their places who voted the Radical ticket, and many 
of them said before they should vote the Radical ticket they would kill 
them. 

On motion, at 1 P. M., the Committee adjourned, to meet to-morrow at 
9 A. M. 



ROOMS OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 
Third Congressional District, 

Edgefield C. H., S. C, September 22, 1869. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Committee met at 9 A. M. 
A quorum being present, the Committee proceeded to business. 
Hampton Prescott, (colored,) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Crews : 
379. Question — Are you a citizen of this County ? 
Answer — I am. 

880. Question — How loug have you resided in this County ? 
Answer — Born and bred in this County. I am sixty years old. 
381. Question — In what part of the County do you inside? 
Answer — Near Red Hill, about 11 miles from the court house. 
38i. Question — Do you know of any outrages committed in this County 
previous to and at the late general election ? 
Answer — No. 

383. Question — Do you know of any persons turned off from employ- 
ment, on account of professing Republican sentiments? 

Answer — Yes ; John Middleton, F. Preston, Richard Burt, J. Holmes, 
Hampton Key, Spencer Holmes, and others, all colored men. I was 
turned off by James Lanier. He told me (before the election in Novem- 
ber last was to come off) that if I did not vote the way he wanted me to 
vote, I should leave his place and the State, but if I voted to suit him 
that I could stay on his place my life-time. 

384. Question — You have given us a list of names of persons who were 
turned off on account of their polities. How do you know they were 
turned off? 



THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DRI8TI0T, 8. C. 717 



Answer — They told me so. 

385. Question (by Mr. Wright) — Were you considered as a leader 
among the colored people in your neighborhood ? 

Answer — Yes. 

386. Question — Were those other persons that you have mentioned, 
that were turned ofl*, considered as prominent men ? 

Answer — Yes; just as I was. 

387. Question — Was there any Democratic Club in your community? 
Answer — Yes. 

388. Question — Do you know how often that Club met ? 
Answer — About once a month. 

389. Question — Did they ever summon you men that were regarded 
as leaders to meet that Club ? 

Answer — Yes ; four of us were summoned. 

390. Question — Did you meet the Club ? 
Answer — Yes. 

391. Question — What did you go to meet that Club for? 
Answer — To see if they would allow us to stay in that settlement. 

392. Question — Did the person who invited you to meet the Club 
invite you to meet it for that purpose ? 

Answer — Yes. 

393. Question — Were you admitted into the Club? 

Answer — No, we sat out doors ; they met in the store house at Ked 
Hill. 

394. Question — About how many persons met there on that occasion ? 
Answer — Between thirty and forty. 

395. Question — What message was given to you in relation to your 
remaining ? 

Answer — Captain Prescott told us the case was considered, but it was 
the same, and that was for us to leave. 

396. Question — How long did yon remain in that settlement after 
that time ? 

Answer — About a fortnight, until I could get off. 

397. Question — How long did those other men remain there? 
Answer — Some left sooner than I did, and some after I did. 

398. Questio)! — Were there any tlireats made against you, providing 
you did not leaVe ? 

Answer — Yes ; James Lanier told me he had a piece of good advice 
to give me, and that was I had better leave just as soon as I could. 

Adam Weaver (colored) sworn. 
Direct examination by Mr. Wright : 

399. Question — How long have you lived in the County of Edgefield ? 
Answer — Born and raised in the County- 

400. Q,uestion — Where did you live before, and at the time of the late 
general election ? 

Answer — In the Dark Corner, twenty-three miles from the Court 
House. 

401. Question — Where do you live at this time? 

Answer — On Turkey Creek, six miles from the Court House. 
40-'. Question — When did you move from the Dark Corner ? 



718 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, 



Answer — About three weeks after Christmas. 

403. Question — Why did you leave the Dark Corner? 
Answer — They were whipping the colored people. 

404. Question — Who were whipping the colored people ? 
Answer — The white men. 

405. Question — Did you see any person or persons that had been 
whipped ? 

Answer — Yes. 

406. Question — How many persons did you see that had been whip- 
ped ? 

Answor — Six. 

407. Question — Was this whipping done before or after the late gene- 
ral election ? 

Answer — Some before, and some afterward. 

408. Question — Did you go to vote at the time the late general elec- 
tion was to have been held ? 

Answer — No. 

409. Question — Why did you not go ? 

Answer — Because I heard they were going to blockade the road. 

410. Question — Did you see any signs or indications that would cause 
you to think the road would be blockaded? 

Answer — The evening of the day prior to the day the election was to 
be held, I saw a party of white men pass my house on horseback with 
guns on their shoulders, and with pistols buckled around them, and on 
the next morning I saw another crowd armed in the same manner, and 
going in the same direction as the party the evening before. 

411. Question — What was the general talk throughout your neigh- 
borhood in reference to the blockade of the roads ? 

Answer — It was the common talk that crowds of white men w^ere to be 
on the road to stop us from going to tlie polls. 

412. Question (by Mr. Bryant) — You say you saw six persons they 
had whipped ; how do you know they had been whipped ? 

Answer — I saw the marks upon some, and others told me they had 
been whipped, and their appearance and movements indicated it. 
On motion, the Committee adjourned. 



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